Image by Tiguliano, from Wikimedia Commons
Robotic Waiters in Nairobi
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
Kenya’s first robotic cafe is making waves in Nairobi, drawing in both locals and tourists eager to experience this new dining concept. The cafe, called “ The Robot Cafe ,” reflects the city’s growing reputation as a tech hub, known as the “Silicon Savanna,” as first reported on Sunday by the AP .
The AP notes that the three robots aren’t fully autonomous and aren’t equipped for full conversations with customers, but they do announce, “Your order is ready, Welcome,” when the food is prepared. After customers retrieve their meals from the robot’s tray, they need to press an exit button. The robots are operated by waiters using an iPad application.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Robot Cafe (@robot_cafe_ke)
Human waiters remain an essential part of the operation, taking orders, serving drinks, and ensuring customer satisfaction. “At no point are the robots able to fully function in all the services that are supposed to be ongoing in the restaurant without the human touch,” said to the AP John Kariuki, the cafe’s manager.
The AP reports that the preprogrammed robots were initially brought in as an entertainment feature. Cafe owner Mohammed Abbas, who had encountered robot service in Asian and European countries, decided to make the investment. “Importing the robots was very expensive,” he admits, but notes that the decision has paid off, as the restaurant is “often busy with curious customers” eager to experience the unique service.
The introduction of robotic service in the hospitality industry raises questions about the future of human labor. The AP highlights that this technology is expected to disrupt the global workforce, with a particularly strong impact in Africa, where the median age is just 19 years.
Edith Ojwang, a hospitality expert, noted to the AP, “The hospitality industry is very diverse. We have clients who will prefer robotic service and full automation, while we also have clients who will prefer human service, the human touch and warmth that comes with human service.”
As Kenya’s tech industry continues to grow, innovations like the Robot Cafe offer a glimpse into the future of service, where technology enhances, rather than replaces, the human touch.
Image from Rawpixel
Transport For London Faces Cyber Threat
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor
Transport for London (TfL) is currently dealing with a cyberattack that has disrupted its internal systems, as reported by BBC .
The organization, which operates most of London’s transportation network, has confirmed that there is no evidence of customer data being compromised and that transport services are currently unaffected. However, the full extent of the damage remains unknown, as reported by the BBC.
Shashi Verma, TfL’s Chief Technology Officer, stated that several measures have been introduced to contain the situation. “The security of our systems and customer data is very important to us,” Verma emphasized, notes the BBC.
He also mentioned that TfL is working closely with the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to fully assess and respond to the incident.
In response to the threat, TfL has implemented measures to contain the cyberattack and prevent further access to its systems, as reported by the BBC.
The attack appears to have primarily impacted TfL’s back-office systems at its corporate headquarters. Insiders have reported to the BBC that staff have been advised to work from home if possible, further highlighting the severity of the incident within the organization’s administrative functions.
The Guardian reports that the NCA and NCSC are actively involved in the investigation, but details of the breach and the extent of the damage remain unclear. Both agencies have acknowledged the incident, stating they are working closely with TfL to determine the full impact and to prevent any further unauthorized access to TfL’s systems.
The situation is being closely monitored, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses. While the immediate threat to customer data and transport services seems to be under control, the full ramifications of the cyberattack are yet to be determined.
