The 7 Star Dumpling House on Lasalle Boulevard hired a new server and she’s ... not human?
Bella, the robotic cat server, can serve, host, play music and sing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song as well. She likes to be pet, just as one would with a cat – and just like a cat, she doesn’t like to be pet too much.
“Wow, your hands are really warm,” Bella said as Sudbury.com went to pet the server’s metal ears. Along with the long list of skills the robot has, Bella also has — for some undefined reason — a heat sensor that detects temperatures, including body temperatures.
“Keep your hands away from me! Meow,” Bella said as she got one too many ear scratches.
If you want to see Bella in action, watch Sudbury.com’s TikTok on our visit to the dumpling house.
She was brought on by the restaurant to help with time management during busy times as well as reducing health risks amidst the pandemic.
“The reason the owner acquired the server was for one, more sanitary reasons. It doesn’t have a human being delivering your food. I mean, it reduces some of the health risks,” Bob Richter, business associate with the 7 Star Dumpling House, said. “The other reason is the new technology is a time-saver. It fills a gap when there's a busy period within the restaurant and maybe it’s not cost-effective to have somebody sitting here for hours waiting for business when this little piece of machinery never says no, it just keeps going.”
The robot has only been a part of the team for a few days, but it’s been a hit with the customers so far, especially the younger generation. Richter said the response from the younger generation of customers at the restaurant have been positive and enthusiastic, adding older customers haven’t been that inclined to interact with it much. And while Bella is one skilled server, she will always be accompanied by other servers on the floor.
“To say that this restaurant would ever be replaced by Bella? No,” Richter said, confirming that Bella will always serve alongside other human servers.
The handy piece of technology’s estimated value is about $23,000 and has an average battery run time of 12 hours. And while Bella cost a pretty penny for the restaurant, she was worth every cent.
“I just hope people come in and take a chance to experience her and interact with it and see if it's something that is of interest to them,” Richter said.
Eden Suh is a new media reporter at Sudbury.com.
