A robot receptionist for the lobby of the Fillmore Administrative Complex in West Olive is being considered by Ottawa County officials.
The talking, dancing, selfie-taking robot would guide visitors to their destination. It would provide a year-over-year cost savings compared to a flesh-and-blood receptionist, according to a pilot program proposal slated to go before a county commission committee Tuesday.
When the complex opened two decades ago, officials envisioned a receptionist in the lobby area. The role was never filled, according to the proposal.
"Customers are instantly confused as they enter the facility and in many cases need assistance from random staff that may be passing through this area," Ottawa County Administrator Al Vanderberg wrote in the proposal to commissioners. "We improved signage and did not see an appreciable improvement in visitors ability to find their destinations."
The proposal calls for a six-to-eight week pilot program beginning in mid-January at a cost of $20,000. If successful, the county could enlist the robot as a full-time guide at a net cost of $58,000.
Vanderberg proposed funding come from the county's technology fund, which is derived from cell tower revenue.
Recent visitors to the Ottawa County courthouse in Grand Haven would find the robot a familiar sight, as a similar robot greeter was tested there last week.
The robots are made by South Korean-company Future Robot and distributed by Advanced Robot Solutions in the United States, according to the latter's website.
Vanderberg wrote in the proposal that the county previously considered staffing the lobby area with existing employees on a rotating basis or volunteers. Those turned out impractical, he wrote.
Lastly, the county considered deploying one dedicated full-time staffer and one part-time staffer at a cost of about $82,500 annually, according to the proposal.
The expected service cost of the robot is $9,600 annually.
"We also believe this to be a partial solution to some staffing needs in the tight labor market we are experiencing and believe we will continue to experience in the future," Vanderberg wrote of the robot greeter.
The Ottawa County Finance and Administration Committee will consider the proposal Tuesday, Nov. 20. If approved, it will go before the full Ottawa County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 27.
©2018 The Grand Rapids Press, Mich. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
