International vacationers and travelers believe that robots are best used for unpleasant and strenuous tasks such as disposing of garbage, cleaning, and carrying and storing heavy items, says a new study from Ball State University.

The study examined how 1,676 respondents from 103 countries and territories feel about the use of automated machines in these sectors

The study found:

• People perceive that robots should not be used in position that require sophisticated judgment calls.

• The public seems to be generally accepting of using robots to deliver services at receptions in hotels and other facilities.

• In general, respondents consider robots as suitable for housekeeping tasks, and show support for robot use for laundry.

• The respondents show a willingness to have robots do many tasks in the food service industry, apart from preparing food.

• The data from the survey show a great deal of skepticism in terms of accepting the use of self-driving vehicles, whether a car, train, bus, ship, or airplane. Self-driving airplanes are the technology that respondents seem to be most against.

• The data suggest that customers expect that the use of robots will cause a reduction in costs to them as end consumers of services.

“Implementing robots in these industries should be done in a cautious way that enables customers to see the benefits, keeping service levels high and cutting the cost of services to the end-user, "

“The future is more automated and travel, tourism, and hospitality industries have to realize the transformation is already here,”

“The technologies that allow for automation improve in quality by the day and the demographics in developed countries illustrate a long-term labor shortage in service industries,”