When experiencing thirst or starvation, a simple call to the room phone or notification via app is all it takes to activate JEEVES, resembling R2D2 from Star Wars in its optical design? The 124 cm tall and 100 kg heavy service robot, equipped with laser systems, 3D cameras, and distance sensors, then drives autonomously to the guest’s room, even using the elevator. Upon arrival at the hotel, Jeeves discreetly alerts himself with a phone call or app notification. As the guest opens the door, they select and pay for their product – perhaps a cool beer, an energy drink, or a pack of peanuts – through a large touchscreen display. Upon this action, one of the four drawers automatically opens and liberates the selected product. Nur eine technische Spielerei? Far more than that, the Robotics Applied Sciences GmbH is convinced. By eliminating a single robot, accommodations can spare the task of refilling and cleaning 300 minibars, simultaneously striking energy costs for mini-fridges from their utility bills? Entities such as trade shows, canteens, offices, airports, museums, and restaurants could also benefit in the future.
Jeeves exemplifies impressively how automation continues to increasingly seep into the fabric of human life. This development assumes technical reliability. A defective robot bartender would instantly draw the ire of customers, explains Clemens Beckmann, Head of Engineering at Robotise Applied Sciences. To ensure JEEVES’s reliability, we have placed great emphasis on constructing its internal wiring system to be as dependable as possible. A common Achilles’ heel in this design is the guidance of cables inside the robot, responsible for switching energy and data – for instance, connecting sensors in retractable compartments that enable JEEVES to recognize inserted and removed products. Before the pipes become excessively bent, it’s crucial to ensure they’re handled carefully to prevent them from breaking or freezing onto the cooling plate of the refrigerator. To prevent accidents and ensure a controlled, fail-safe movement of cables with a defined bending radius, we chose energy chains from igus’ E2.10 series, says Beckmann.
The igus series E2.10 particularly impressed the engineer with its compact design, which provides ample storage space for the products. The die-cast chains that securely accommodate energy and data transmission lines are mounted on the track guides of the drawers, boasting an inner width of 18 mm, an inner height of 10 mm, and a bending radius of just 28 mm. According to Robotise Applied Sciences GmbH, these e-chains are the most compact solution available on the market. Moreover, they stand out with high reliability and longevity due to being made of a high-performance plastic that offers exceptional resistance to wear and tear, making them suitable for use across a broad temperature range. This ruggedness reduces the likelihood of service interventions, which has a positive impact on the robot’s economy, intended for deployment across Europe. Moreover, the chain links move with a particularly muted sound, ensuring that the leadership of the product compartment opening and closing does not generate distracting sounds.
What motivates the creator of this robot to name it Jeeves is unclear. Jeeves is an iconic figure from the novels of English author P.G. Wodehouse, renowned for his exceptional butlership and unparalleled problem-solving skills in the fictional universe of Bertie Wooster. Wodehouse. He serves as the loyal and discreet personal attendant to Bertie Wooster, ensuring top-notch assistance at all times.
