Meet the robotic cat serving diners at a Gatineau restaurant - Action News
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Meet the robotic cat serving diners at a Gatineau restaurant

Elie Maaloufhas addeda cat-themed robot known as a "BellaBot" to the staff at LaBuena Djeuner, as the boulevard St-Joseph diner strugglestofind workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While cute, the BellaBot will never replace human waiters, says owner

Gatineau restaurant touts latest hire a robot to help carry orders

3 years ago
Duration 2:07
Elie Maalouf, owner of La Buena Djeuner, says he started looking for ways to help ease his servers' workloads in May, when staffing shortages hit the industry. He settled on the BellaBot, which helps human employees transport dishes to and from the kitchen.

At Elie Maalouf's brunch spot in Gatineau, Que., diners these days are treated to service with a smile and a friendly meow.

Maaloufhas addeda cat-themed robot known as a "BellaBot" to the staff at LaBuena Djeuner, as the boulevard St-Joseph diner struggles, like many other Canadian restaurants, tofind and retain workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We don't have a name for it yet, but soon we will," Maalouf recently told CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning."It's not really a purchase yet. It's only just a trial period,though I think he passed the interview."

Maalouf said he came up with the idea of recruiting some non-human help in May, when the worker shortage became especially dire.

Elie Maalouf, owner of Gatineau, Que., brunch spot La Buena Djeuner, poses with a cat-themed robot that now delivers meals to the restaurant's patrons. (Hallie Cotnam/CBC)

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, his restaurant had 16 paid employees. By the spring,they were down to eight, and that included members of Maalouf's own family.

"I was [one] of the employees. My wife was [one]of the employees. My sister came and helped us on the weekends, and my father and my aunt were working in the kitchen," he said.

As having only three permanent workers was "not really a way to operate a restaurant," Maaloufbegan looking into the BellaBot, designed by Chinese company Pudu Robotics, as a temporary solution.

The robot can carry up to 12 hot, heavy platters from the kitchen,Maalouf said, although his servers still accompany it to diners' tables.

It comes with big glowing eyes and pointy cat-shaped ears.It also meows when you pet it, somethingMaalouf said his patrons especially seem to love.

A cat-themed 'BellaBot' makes its way through the kitchen at La Buena Djeuner in Gatineau, Que. The brunch spot is thinking about purchasing the robot to help deal with staff shortages. (Raphael Tremblay/CBC)

A few limitations

"My heart pounded a little bit, and I was, like, really excited for the robot to come over here," said one diner, Simon Tesfay. "I'm hoping this is the future."

While the vast majority of LaBuena Djeuner's customers aretickled at the thought of being served by a robotic cat, Maalouf said he understands some might be uneasy with the thought of a piece of technology doing the job of a human being.

This is never going to replace an employee.- Elie Maalouf

The robot does havelimitations it can't refill someone's drinks, it can't hand diners their meals, it can't replace missing table items but is ultimately a tool to get the restaurant through a difficult period, Maalouf said.

"I really want to make sure that everyone understands this is never going to replace an employee. This only helps us as the employees of the restaurant. It helps uswith the workload throughout the day," he said.

"It will never replace good service from good workers."

With files from Hallie Cotnam