Bella the robot is a popular new fixture at Driftwood Restaurant near Nanaimo North Town Centre. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

robot jackpot

‘She’s a good helper:’ popular new robot turns heads at Nanaimo restaurant

Oct 12, 2021 | 5:38 AM

NANAIMO — Opening a restaurant during a pandemic isn’t easy, but it was made a little smoother at a Nanaimo establishment thanks to an unexpected source.

A robot programmed to deliver food to customers at Driftwood Restaurant has been on the job with a smile since the business opened in late August.

Employee Lisa Zhang said the robot, programmed to safely navigate around the restaurant has proven to be an asset.

“She’s a good helper. We’ve named her Bella. She’s very popular, we get phone calls from customers asking about our robot,” she said.

Co-owner Clair Zhang saw a flyer from a distributor before the restaurant opened and was immediately struck.

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She wanted extra help particularly during the busy dinner rush to deliver a constant stream of take-out orders to the front door.

“For the takeout it’s really saved the time for my staff to improve their efficiency. The host can have more time greeting people and the takeout manager can have more time taking orders.”

Staff digitally tell where in the restaurant to deliver food and Bella is on the move.

The bot can even answer simple questions and sing happy birthday to customers from the digital face of a cat.

Zhang said the robot has helped create a positive environment for staff and customers.

While some people may believe Bella as a threat to taking jobs away from humans, Zhang doesn’t see it that way.

“The robot cannot replace a human being. She helps our staff, but she cannot take payment. Without my staff she can’t do anything or she’d just be standing there sleeping” she chuckled, pointing out Bella is able to charge while standing still.

Zhang believed their robot is the only one of its kind in Nanaimo, while she said there are a few others on the job at restaurants on the south coast, including Vancouver and Victoria.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes