Sudima Hotels, one of New Zealand’s leading hospitality groups, has always embraced innovation to deliver exceptional guest experiences and streamline operations. With a strong focus on sustainability, technology, and guest-centric service, Sudima has consistently sought smart solutions to enhance efficiency and service delivery across its properties.
In 2011, Sudima Hotels installed monospace elevators, which were then upgraded to KONE MonoSpace® DX, in 2023. This upgrade didn’t just modernise the look and feel of their lifts, it enabled built-in connectivity and opened up powerful new capabilities through KONE’s Digital Services and open API platform.
The most transformative integration has been the introduction of Flashbot, a fully autonomous room service robot. Enabled by KONE’s API-driven connectivity, the robot communicates with the elevators via the AWS cloud, independently navigating through guest floors without staff assistance. What would previously take several staff trips per day is now handled seamlessly and autonomously, allowing hotel staff to focus on more personalised, guest-facing roles.
Ashish Arora, Digital Services Manager KONE Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), comments: “One of the key challenges resolved by the collaboration between KONE and Sudima Hotels was the integration of robotic systems with vertical transportation.
“With KONE’s open API architecture, Sudima was able to overcome a critical barrier in automation, allowing robots to call, ride, and exit elevators independently. This frictionless communication between elevator and robot has led to higher productivity, reduced operational bottlenecks, and a smoother overall experience for guests.
From the guest perspective, the impact is both practical and memorable “Services arrive quicker, interactions feel more modern, and the hotel gains a reputation as a forward-thinking, tech-savvy brand. These small but significant moments contribute to positive reviews and repeat bookings,” Arora, KONE adds.
Looking ahead, Sudima Hotels is planning to extend the use of KONE’s Connected Services and service robots across its other venues, whereby each implementation is carefully tailored, with pilot programs and data analysis used to refine operations and train staff effectively.
“KONE’s partnership has been pivotal,” says Roma Patel, Hotel Manager at Sudima Hotel - Auckland Airport. “Their technology allowed us to fully automate a previously manual process, making our hotel more efficient and future-ready.”
Together, KONE and Sudima Hotels are redefining hospitality and how smart, connected infrastructure can elevate both service quality and operational excellence.