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Maybe, Thad. Maybe. But I certainly hope not.
There are a few other things that robots don't do.
- Hospitality
- Accents
I think part of an enjoyable dining experience is inviting and friendly experience for the staff. From the person who greets guests at the door and seats them to the wait-person taking my order. I enjoy talking to the wait staff. We may talk about the menu, why I'm there and sometimes I get insight into their lives. At one restaurant the wait person was so concerned that I was low on insulin -- she has a friend who had Type 1 diabetes -- that she took the extra effort to help me pick safe options from the menu. A robot will never feel welcoming to me.
Ever watch someone try to use Siri whose native language isn't English? I've watched my father-in-law get so frustrated that he handed the iPhone back to me and told me it was useless. I can't imagine how left out people who speak English with an accent are going to feel when the robot doesn't understand them or gets the food order wrong. Who will they complain to?
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