Meet Project Jetson: The Voice-Controlled Hotel Room at Aloft
Jeff Edwards August 29, 2016
In select Aloft Hotel rooms across the US, when it comes to controlling the AC, the TV and even turning off the lights, there’s an app for that.
George Jetson would likely feel right at home using the technology tagged with his namesake at Aloft Hotels. No, the hotel chain’s so-called “Project Jetson” unfortunately doesn’t involve robot maids or valet parking for flying cars, but with the help of Siri, select rooms can now be controlled almost entirely by hands-free voice commands.
The Starwood-affiliated properties are experimenting with climate controls and lighting that can be adjusted using the popular iPhone personal assistant app. Rooms include a Siri-equipped iPad for guests who don’t already have access to the app. If the experiment proves successful, the program could be expanded to allow room service, wakeup calls and in-room music and entertainment options to be scheduled with a simple hands-free “Hey Siri…” voice command.
“We love working with companies like DigiValet to help bring our visions to life,” Aloft Vice President Sarah Downing said in a statement unveiling Project Jetson. “The new Aloft Voice Activated Hotel Rooms are going to change the way that our guests interact, literally, with their room during their stay with us. It’s the latest way Aloft is changing the way we all travel.”
DigiValet has partnered with Aloft in the past, bringing smartphone-controlled keyless entry to guests and even introducing, Botir, a robot butler to properties in Cupertino and Silicon Valley. The more recent voice-controlled hotel room concept is initially being rolled out at the Aloft Boston Seaport and the Aloft Santa Clara with more locations to follow in the coming months.
[Photo: Gizmodo]
