Singapore has finally regained normality. Major events and global tourism are back, locals are crowding streets and squares as much as before the pandemic. It’s a sigh of relief for the plagued F&B sector that scrambled to maintain essential services during COVID-19. Many establishments had to shut down due to a lack of foot traffic.
Today, outlets suffer from a manpower crunch. By last June, total employment in Singapore had rebounded to 99.5 per cent of the pre-COVID-19 levels, according to the Ministry of Manpower. Labour costs have become an issue that weighs particularly on the F&B sector.
Hawker centres, food courts, and restaurants are experiencing shortages and higher wages for dishwashing and cleaning. A renegotiated wage model between employee representatives, unions, and the government, will see the base salaries of cleaners go up to between SG$1,570 and SG$2,210 in 2023. It will increase by at least SG$170 each year until 2028.
That is bad news given the razor-thin margins in the sector. Food courts in particular will need to look for further efficiencies in the way they are run. A solution could be tech.
The coming tech revolution
There are centralised dishwashing services that already contribute to an increase in productivity. These highly specialised and automatised cleaners for plates and bowls are experienced in handling big volumes and heavy loads. They are also more ecological by optimising energy and water usage. Their work is reducing pressure on the individuals that are doing the job manually, in many cases senior citizens.
The dishwashing services market in Singapore was estimated to be valued at SG$30.9 million in 2020, with currently 10 firms sharing the pie, according to Euromonitor. The market size is expected to reach SG$75 million by 2024. The industry enjoys government support, as it increases automation and efficiency.
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Cleaning robots are another innovation that will bring visible benefits as the tech improves. Marketstudyreport.com predicts that the global market will be worth US$3.5 billion by the end of 2026, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of seven per cent throughout the 2021-2026 period. While you might already see them across the city, there are still frequent hiccups that developers are trying to resolve. We expect public acceptance to grow, as people realise how useful they can be.
A little help from a friend
The newest models require minimal human intervention. They are capable of maintaining and cleaning themselves at the docking station and recharging in a few minutes. With the latest sensor tech, they are able to map out the area to cover it most efficiently. At the same time, they can also be run remotely by an assistant.
State-of-the-art robots are connected to the cloud and automatically updated with the latest software. It allows for real-time monitoring and efficient remote management. But connectivity also makes them vulnerable to hackers, which is why these machines have to comply with the control standards set by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
With device security becoming an issue, the danger of malevolent actors potentially gaining access to restricted areas and spying on sensitive installations is real. Can local manufacturers fill the gap and become trusted partners?
Expect these robots to learn and improve, to become more nimble and accurate and to perform increasingly complex tasks that a human won’t be able to carry out. Robots will result in higher workplace safety, reducing health risks for employees.
AI and machine learning are likely to dominate the coming decade. It might soon visit you at your local hawker centre.
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