PRESBYTERIAN SENIORCARE NETWORK

2 “Servi” the Robot Helps Waitstaff Focus on the Dining Experience L ongwood at Oakmont’s StoneRidge Clubhouse has a new addition to their already amazing waitstaff team. Welcome, Servi — a 3.5-foot-tall robot. Longwood began using the robot in November 2022 to help address an industry- wide food service labor shortage. Her addition has allowed the waitstaff team to focus on the residents’ dining experience. Chefs load Servi’s tray with steaming dinner entrees, and Servi delivers them to residents following custom-mapped pathways through the restaurant’s aisles and around tables. Detection technology tells Servi how much space she has available, and whether she will conflict with another object in real-time. Longwood residents enjoy the dinner show that’s created by having the new robot. On a recent evening, residents laughed and called for the robot —GarÇon! (French for waiter) —from across the busy dining room, as if they were at a French restaurant. Servi was the name given by her developer, Bear Robotics. The next challenge is to give the robot a name specific to Longwood at Oakmont. Longwood is asking residents to dream up the perfect name. Resident Dr. Doreen Boyce offered a few suggestions, but stated that any waitstaff name has to be special. Mary Kay Grippa, Longwood’s Director of Dining Services, said that having a robot server has been an innovative way to improve operations at StoneRidge during recent staffing challenges by allowing our valued team members to focus on the residents’ dining experience. “The residents are very supportive,” Ms. Grippa said. “They find it interesting and unique. Our newest addition can bring the residents their food and also sing ‘Happy Birthday.’” Resident Chuck Klingensmith was one of a few residents who saw an early demo of the robot. “I love the robot,” Mr. Klingensmith said. “The robot has the ability of surprising us all with, ‘Excuse Me,’ and ‘Happy Birthday.’” REIMAGINING OUR SERVICE Servi the robot brings dinner to three happy guests. From left: Penny Page, Chuck Klingensmith and Nancy Gorman. “I work with Servi and consider her a valued team member because she helps me be more effective in my job. We don’t have to carry heavy trays and can focus on the residents.” –EMILY FREESE, TEAM MEMBER, LONGWOOD AT OAKMONT, STONERIDGE CLUBHOUSE EXCUSE ME! Happy Birthday! SERVI PHOTO © BEAR ROBOTICS