Elvis, the new robot server at Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, delivers and order Friday at the Deuces Diner. Photo by Ben Hensley

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino introduced its newest employee last week, and it’s a name, face and voice that many may recognize.

“Elvis,” the newest server in Chukchansi’s Deuces Diner, is a food service robot made by Bear Robotics, the same company that introduced the Valley to robotic assistance servers in a Denny’s location earlier this year, and another to Pho Lee 777 in Clovis and one to John’s Incredible Pizza in Fresno later this year.

Elvis is a Servi model assistant, capable of running multi-purpose tasks, including food delivery and bussing and cleaning assistance. Elvis exclusively works at Deuces Diner as a server.

Following an initial setup from Redwood City-based Bear Robotics that includes mapping the restaurant, the robot functions on AI, able to navigate the space, stopping and avoiding possible hazards, customers and anything else in its path.

“We were looking for a simple robot,” said Frank Wrigley, director of food and beverage at Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino. “We wish to entertain our customers and improve the service.”

Wrigley said that Bear Robotics offered the most cost-effective option for automated service robots.

 

Elvis detects when customers retrieve their orders through weight detection in his service trays, with a friendly and recognizable, “Thank you very much,” after a customer takes their plate.

“They love him,” Wrigley said. “Either the cook or the cashier puts the order on Elvis and Elvis makes the delivery to the table. Elvis knows when to leave the building quite simply when the tray is removed.

Service staff is enjoying their new server assistant, allowing servers and employees to focus more on the preparation of food and interaction with customers while Elvis roams the restaurant.

Wrigley added that Chukchansi may implement future upgrades and new interactive dining and casino features and amenities.

“We’re always looking for opportunities,” Wrigley said. “Right now, we’re going to see how we do with Elvis.”

According to Bear Robotics, the Servi model robot can be rolled out in as little as two weeks, from initial contract signing to installation at the restaurant.

Besides other Valley locations, Bear Robotics recently deployed robotic servers to two Amici’s East Coast Pizzerias in the Bay Area, and Chumash Casino and Resort in Southern California.

“Our main focus will be to expand our enterprise/chain customer relationships and establish a greater amount of indirect channels to reach the broader small-and-medium sized restaurants throughout the country that are at the heart of what the hospitality industry is all about,” said Bear Robotics Chief Operating Officer Juan Higueros in an email to The Business Journal.

Bear Robotics hopes the continued expansion will eventually lead to global expansion as well, pursuing markets in Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America.