Marriott International hasn't been shy about its passion for innovation. Now, they are now taking it up a notch.
Calling on Samsung and digital building infrastructure specialist Legrand to help it develop the hotel room of the future, the Bethesda, Maryland-based hotel giant announced the launch of its Internet of Things (IoT) Guestroom Lab at its corporate headquarters Tuesday.
Marriott will use this new space to experiment with concepts it believes can enhance the guest experience, improve efficiency and help the company reach its sustainability goals.
The IoT Guestroom Lab will essentially operate as a "smart" hotel room with multiple IoT systems, devices and applications that work together. The result will be more user control via mobile device or voice command.
Some of the features being tested out include things like requesting wake-up alarms from a virtual assistant, a yoga tool that displays a routine on a full-length mirror and the ability to quickly alert housekeeping to any services needed.
The Lab will also seek to optimize personalization with voice and app features that, for instance, would allow guests to start their shower at the preferred temperature stored in their customer profile.
"We know that our guests expect to personalize almost everything in their lives, and their hotel experience should be no different," said Marriott's Global Chief Commercial Officer, Stephanie Linnartz in a statement. "By teaming with best-in-class partners, we are leveraging mobile and voice-enabled technology to give our guests the ability to set up the room to best meets their needs-whether that is creating the ultimate relaxation environment or one that enables productivity for business travelers."
Marriott said future guests can expect to find some elements of the technology currently being tested in the IoT Guestroom Lab in their hotel rooms within the next five years.
Several hotels have already made hands-free Amazon Echo and Echo Dot devices available to guests while others are offering Netflix and other entertainment services in hopes of winning over today's traveler.
As travelers become more and more connected, it's only right that their home away home follows suit.
"We're proud to be innovating with industry-leading partners to get closer to revolutionizing the guest experience, along with hotel operations and even hotel construction," said Marriott's Senior Vice President, Global Design, Karim Khalifa, Senior Vice President in a statement. "Together with Samsung and Legrand, we are well on our way to creating the hotel room of the future."
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