When a Relay® Robot named Winnie was first adopted at the Embassy Suites by Hilton LAX North Hotel in 2016, she was embraced as a fun room service delivery novelty that delighted families, especially kids. The Vice President of Operations, Michael D’Amodio, says, “It was a way to get guests engaged.”

Within the first week of COVID-19, Mr. D’Amodio and management at seven of eight California-based Seaview Investors hotels realized that Relay Service Robots were perfect as “Social Distancing Robot Ambassadors” for safe deliveries with no human contact.

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This hotel hospitality robot does not even touch the elevator buttons or guests’ doors to make deliveries. They get a courtesy call on their room phone when Winnie arrives. She automatically pops open the hood to her bin that holds towels, drinks, snacks, and food.

NBC Los Angeles 4 news reporter Gordon Tokumatsu, says, “No contact with another human being, and best of all, no tip. She’s sanitized from top to bottom for each delivery, too.”

“One of the most important things that customers are telling us right now,” ,” adds Mr. D’Amodio, “is concern for their safety.”

That’s why Winnie is now used by more than 60% of the guests at the Embassy Suites by Hilton LAX North Hotel. And in this current pandemic world, she provides more than room service. She offers peace of mind.

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Since 2014, Relay Service Robots have made over 650,000 deliveries in dozens of hotels worldwide, including Hilton, Marriott, Starwood, Aloft, Intercontinental, and more.

Now, they’re in demand as guests –– and hotel staff –– seek hands-free interaction with proper social distancing.

“Our dependable, reliable robots don’t get sick, don’t cough or sneeze,” says Steve Cousins, Co-Founder and CEO of Relay Robotics. “We are seeing hotels use Relay as a key part of their re-opening strategy because of the peace of mind they bring to safer guest interactions with room service deliveries.”