In today’s world, innovative technology is more than just a trend; it is a growing necessity. In 2024, more educational facilities are looking to adopt new tech solutions to support their staff, increase productivity with small teams, improve operational capabilities, and enhance the experience of students and teachers.
One of the latest innovations is the use of robots in schools for various tasks such as food and supply delivery and automated cleaning. Robotics are no longer a mere science fiction concept but a reality in many schools today.
One such school is Goddard School in Alexandria, VA. Our team at Prospera Health & Hospitality Services (PHHS) worked with the school to onboard a robot and help kitchen staff deliver food to all of the classrooms.
In this blog, we will explore how robots are being used in schools to support staff and make operations more efficient.
Support school staff with robots
Schools have been facing labor shortages due to various reasons such as the pandemic, budget cuts, and other economic factors. This has created an opportunity for technology to supplement and support staff members.
At Goddard School, there was one kitchen employee responsible for preparing and delivering the snacks and meals to all classrooms throughout the day. She was overworked and it was affecting productivity.
“If we could give her a helping hand, we could help the school.” - Rahul Jain, Franchise Owner
It quickly became apparent that giving this kitchen employee a robotic assistant had a very positive effect on the school. Because she was supported in her role, she became less stressed, more productive, and her quality of work improved. This resulted in greater satisfaction for everyone.
Streamline school operations
After PHHS and the Goddard School introduced the robot, which they later named Casper, food preparation and delivery processes became significantly quicker and more efficient.
Rahul Jain, the school franchise owner, explained that before Casper joined the school, “the kitchen staff member might be heating up 30-40 lunches before she would be on her way to start distributing those." Casper enabled them to streamline that process so they can prepare and deliver lunches in less time.
Time consuming tasks have become more efficient with the help of robotics. Furthermore, all school employees and children now experience reliability and consistency around meals, knowing exactly what to expect as the food delivery robot operates on a consistent time schedule.
Demonstrate technological advancements
By adopting cutting-edge technology like autonomous delivery robots, schools can showcase their tech-forward approach and demonstrate their commitment to innovation in education.
This helps attract students, staff and parents who value technology and expect schools to be at the forefront of innovation.
“We saw how well it was received by the parents...We are using it as a marketing tactic for us to show that we are offering state-of-the-art technology.” – Rahul Jain
Empower janitorial team with robotic cleaning
Another robotic trend we are seeing right now is in cleaning automation. Robotic cleaning solutions are making their way into schools to support janitorial staff in maintaining a consistently clean and disinfected environment.
These industrial-strength floor, window and UV cleaning solutions are equipped with sensors, cameras, and advanced software, enabling them to navigate through classrooms and hallways while avoiding obstacles such as people and furniture.
By programming robots to do tasks such as vacuuming and mopping floors, cleaning staff can focus on more important routines that only humans can do. This can make a small janitorial team highly effective.
Conclusion
The implementation of autonomous delivery and cleaning robots in schools provides many benefits like supporting staff, increasing productivity, improving operational efficiency, and establishing a tech-forward image. This enhances the overall experience for students, staff, and parents. Schools that adopt such solutions can stay ahead of the curve and provide a modern, innovative education environment.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more schools integrate robots to make their operations smoother and more efficient.