Connect with us

Montana

Robots are now bussing meals in several Montana restaurants alongside wait staff

Published

on

Robots are now bussing meals in several Montana restaurants alongside wait staff


It’s just after one of the airport rush hours when a food court employee at the Billings Logan International airport places cutlery inside what looks like a black and white mini fridge then taps the touch screen above two boxy blue eyes. The robot, Rosy, whistles its way to the bar at the opposite side of the terminal.

It’s been about a year since the airport first introduced Rosy to the food court. It’s especially helpful during rush hours according to employee Jada Pruett.

“I can’t imagine it without her for sure,” said Pruett.

Robots like Rosy are becoming more commonplace in Montana restaurants. Representatives with California-based Bear Robotics, which manufacturers food running robots, say they have clients in Bozeman, Belgrade and Columbia Falls. Bear Robotics frames the technology as a help rather than a replacement for wait staff amid post-COVID hiring challenges.

Advertisement

State data show employment in the accommodation and food service industry dropped by 12 percent statewide in 2020. And in Columbia Falls, restaurant owner Jay Marquesen said finding and keeping employees remains a challenge. He said the robot helps manage the workload.

“With the labor shortage, we just started looking for different ways to make life easier on the girls [and servers] that we have,” said Marquesen.

He said the Nite Owl and Backroom Restaurants started leasing their robot, also named Rosy, from Bear Robotics last year at $600 dollars a month. It carries plates and food back and forth for 12 hours before needing a charge, but Marquesen said it’s not the same as a waiter.

“It doesn’t take orders, it doesn’t take money,” said Marquesen. “It’s just a tool.”

He compared it to store clerks using scanners at check out versus punching in numbers manually. On the other hand, Marquesen said he’s also seen artificial intelligence taking a bigger, full-service role that starts with the customer’s order.

Advertisement

“I don’t know that in a small town we’re going to go to that. Hopefully not, I’d rather have the employees,” said Marquesen. “But you never know.”





Source link

Montana

French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship

Published

on

French Montana Shares Rare Insight into Khloe Kardashian Relationship


Where Khloe Kardashian Stands With Ex French Montana More Than 10 Years After Breakup

French Montana is done keeping up with reality TV.

In fact, he only agreed to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians and Kourtney & Khloé Take the Hamptons over a decade ago as a favor to then-girlfriend Khloe Kardashian.

“She said to get on the show,” he exclusively told E! News at the BET Awards on June 28. “And I got on the show. Shout out to Khloe.”

Advertisement

The “Ever Since U Left Me” rapper, who split with Kardashian in December 2014 after eight months of dating, said the experience was “fun” because her family kept it real. 

“They filmed their real life,” he continued. “And we were part of something together that one time. So it felt great. It didn’t feel like work because they film what they do everyday.”

As for his future in reality TV, the 41-year-old said those days are over, shutting down any prospective offers with a simple, “Negative.” 

Although the “Unforgettable” artist—whose real name is Karim Kharbouch—may not be returning to television anytime soon, he has no problem hanging out with his ex-girlfriend these days. 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Montana

French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Turn the BET Awards Into “ – BET Awards 2026 | BET

Published

on

French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Turn the BET Awards Into “ – BET Awards 2026 | BET


French Montana, Rick Ross & Max B Turn the BET Awards Into “

06/28/2026

French Montana, Rick Ross and Max B hit the BET Awards stage draped in furs for “Ever Since U Left Me” and “Minks in Miami.”
Advertisement

More



Source link

Continue Reading

Montana

Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition

Published

on

Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition


GREAT FALLS — For Staff Sgt. Brianna St. Lawrence-Brody, service does not only happen in uniform.

Outside the gates of the base, she works at Benefis as a nurse, Great Falls Public Schools as a school nurse, and comes home as a wife and mom of four. For the Montana Air National Guard, she serves as a command post controller with the 120th Airlift Wing in Great Falls.

(WATCH: Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition)

Advertisement

Montana nurse and Guard member earns national Air Force recognition

This year, St. Lawrence-Brody was named the U.S. Air National Guard’s Outstanding Airman of the Year in the Non-Commissioned Officer category.

She said the recognition came as a surprise, especially because her path into the Guard started later than others.

“I joined very late in life,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I joined the Guard right before I turned 40. So for me, every opportunity that’s presented, I want to take the bull by the horns and just run with it and do the best of my ability.”

Advertisement

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined the Guard after finishing nursing school. She said she went straight from nursing school into helping open a COVID unit, while also working at Benefis.

She said that experience was the start of one journey, but not the whole of what she wanted to accomplish.

St. Lawrence-Brody joined the Guard for the opportunities, the challenge and to help build a future for her four children.

“It’s a little bit of a competition for myself,” she said. “Like, if I can do it, why not try my best to achieve it?”

120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Advertisement

As a command post controller, she assists in helping move information during emergencies and major events.

“Outside, obviously, I’m a nurse. Inside the Guard, I have nothing to do with the medical field, which is kind of amazing,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “It keeps me on my toes.”

She explained balancing the Guard, two civilian jobs and four children takes support from her family, her employers and her unit. She said Benefis and GFPS have been supportive of her military service.

Her nomination included her deployment experience, training work overseas and involvement across the wing. St. Lawrence-Brody said she deployed to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where she worked with an operations center supporting entities connected to Africa.

But, she says this recognition is not the finish line.

Advertisement

“This award, it’s not necessarily a landing pad for me,” St. Lawrence-Brody said. “I want to use it as a springboard.”

brianna award duality.jpg

120th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

St. Lawrence-Brody hopes her story encourages others to keep taking on new opportunities, even when they feel uncertain.

“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be okay with doing things afraid,” she said. “I think when you get to be okay with doing things afraid, that’s where you’re going to find the growth.”

She has already won at the Air National Guard level, but she recently traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the broader Air Force Outstanding Airman of the Year process, which includes nominees from the Guard, Reserve and major commands across the Air Force.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending