How is smart technology reshaping the hotel industry?

This article is sponsored by Ram Tumuluri, Businessman, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist.

Smart room technology is a key trend for hotel owners to be aware of, and the desire to create a smart hotel is growing, for a number of reasons. Like most sectors, the hospitality industry is undergoing a huge transformation, both green and digital, in order to meet changing customer demands. In this article, you will find out more information about some of the trending technologies in the hospitality industry in recent years. 

How is smart technology reshaping the hotel industry? Let’s take a look!

In this article:

• Smart appliances
• Voice-activated technology
• Biometric authentication

Internet of things (IoT)

One of the more remarkable technological disruptions hotel guests have had to deal with in recent years includes the introduction of smart appliances. IoT is all about smart devices that can collect data and interact over the internet. In 500 “connected” Hilton hotel rooms, for example, guests can now control all the functions of the room from a single device. Connectivity operates primarily through the chain’s mobile app and manages the room’s lighting, temperature, and TV.

Voice-activated technology

Hotel rooms equipped with Alexa, Siri or the like could enable guests to make voice-activated requests for room service, place an order, call housekeeping to ask for more towels, or request their car brought out of Valet Parking. There is also the use of robotics and artificial intelligence to do things like handling the vacuuming of the room, preparing meals, and restocking the courtesy bar. Chowbotics is one company that has led the way in pioneering a whole new industry, through the creation of “Sally the Robot.” These robots can be located in a hotel lobby or guest-accessible kitchen area, and prepare meals such as salads, bowls, and ethnic cuisine.

Biometric authentication

Security is of utmost importance in the digital age, in terms of guest identities, address information, and financial data. Biometric authentication offers the most secure method of proving identity that is currently available, and the hospitality industry has also come to realize the need for this level of safety. With the use of fingerprint-activated room entry and facial recognition methods such as those used by the Nexus, Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check programs, this technology is still in the early stages, but future hospitality application is likely to include behavioral biometrics. 

This article was produced on behalf of Ram Tumuluri, Businessman, Philanthropist and Entrepreneur for businessinnovator.co, a news platform for business news, technology, and emerging global trends.