Even cheaper than 3rd-world staff paid below minimum wage

[voyageur9]

Carnival to replace staff with 'humanoid' robots (not kidding)

Costa is first. Will HAL be next.

 

Here's the announcement from Carnival.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=140690&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2122617

 

And here's the 'Pepper' robots soon to be answering your questions and (maybe) cleaning your room.

https://www.aldebaran.com/en/a-robots/who-is-pepper

 

Bet robots turn out to be even cheaper than paying people from the developing world far less than minimum wage through intermediary 'labor' companies.

[jtl513]

I can hardly wait! :(:(

[dakrewser]

Rather than cleaning your room, they'll be hawking shore excursions, so I won't be seeing them at all!

[PirateShark]

The only "emotion" I will show is annoyance and the only "need" I will have for one of these robots is for them to go away. What a waste of money.

[sherryf]

I think it's awesome! I'm sure it will be optional to use them, and that you can still talk to a real person if you want to.

 

And if you think these are cheaper than "3rd-world staff" then you obviously have never built and maintained a robot!

 

Sherry - FRC 1318 Robotics Mentor

[SeaBands]

for people traveling solo and they don't have to feed it. And you can keep showing it pictures of your grandchildren with out walking away or complaining.

Edited December 15, 2015 by SeaBands

[POA1]

Have you actually seen Pepper? This will be one of those times when you'll be glad that Holland America isn't on the cutting edge of technology.

 

A-2IVBIpnng

 

You can find a lot more Pepper videos on YouTube, but most are in Japanese.

[frankc98376]

Why does Dr Who keep coming to mind? :D

Maybe because of the "Titanic" episode....

[Tom O.]

Will the auto-tips be reduced? Or will Pepper get their fare share of it?

[RuthC]

Cuts down on the extra tipping I suppose.

 

Other than that, what will the robot do for me? Can he open my door and put the door stop in place when I return to the cabin? Then the reverse when I leave?

Can he fetch a lounge pad and a couple of blankets when I'm sitting on the promenade? Oh, and a towel for my back?

Will he carry my plates of food in the Lido?

Will he make me laugh? And engage with me?

 

Didn't think so. :rolleyes:

[catl331]

Don't look for reduction in auto-tips. We have had many instances lately where technology has taken over and we were told it would be cheaper for us. Still waiting!!

[whogo]

The only crew member Pepper could replace is the cruise director.

[ger_77]

"17 joints for graceful movements" - that's a killer! Can you imagine what it would cost to put a bunch of these onboard a cruise ship? Prices are going to have to skyrocket to accommodate the price of these robots. Sorry, these Peppers.

 

I can't wait to see Pepper try to help DH tie his bow tie on formal (gala) nights. LOL Oh, another thing - are they male or female? I don't want to ask a male Pepper to help do up the zipper on my dress when DH is already in the lounge waiting for me and I can't reach the zip!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Oh Lordy -- just what I need -- more technology.

To be honest -- I hate the idea.

[TheEmerson]

Why does Dr Who keep coming to mind? :D

Maybe because of the "Titanic" episode....

 

Heh. If they do look like the Angel Hosts, I am going to run. At least they are not Weeping Angles.

[NMLady]

Oh Lordy -- just what I need -- more technology.

To be honest -- I hate the idea.

 

DITTO!!! :eek:

[mcrcruiser]

WOW!! I am 77 & I think Pepper is a awesome addition to make life more enjoyable & easier :D. Can't wait until I can buy one . :p:p:p

[POA1]

WOW!! I am 77 & I think Pepper is a awesome addition to make life more enjoyable & easier :D. Can't wait until I can buy one . :p:p:p

You can order one for about $1,800 plus around $389 per month for maintenance and data on a 3 year contract. For that money, I'd lease a reliable car and make friends the old fashioned way.

[dakrewser]

If they'd give me a remote control button which, when I pressed it, would summon the robot - with a G&T - to wherever I was on the ship, THAT would be worthwhile!

 

[lazey1]

Oh Lordy -- just what I need -- more technology.

 

To be honest -- I hate the idea.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

[sapper1]

I think it is downright creepy.

[kazu]

I have visions of "Terminator" and "I Robot".

 

I am pretty good at technology advancements, but in this case, I prefer to "interact" with people.

[take us away]

The robotic bartenders on a competitive line is one thing but they have got to be kidding! Just what I want - talk to a robot - NOT.

 

Wish they would spend the money on better customer service people - now if they used robots there who actually had the correct answer to an enquiry - bingo and bonanza!

[Lizzie68]

Thinking of how slowly HAL embraces technology, I don't think we need to worry about Pepper appearing on HAL ships, not in our lifetime anyway.;) Mind you, I can see a use for carrying plates to table in the Lido buffet.....

[Lizzie68]

The robotic bartenders on a competitive line is one thing but they have got to be kidding! Just what I want - talk to a robot - NOT.

 

Wish they would spend the money on better customer service people - now if they used robots there who actually had the correct answer to an enquiry - bingo and bonanza!

 

They would have to train them to give three different answers to the same question.:D