TENANTS at The Base in Warrington are believed to be the first in the UK to use next-generation robotics, called ‘chatbots’, to serve their information needs.
Occupiers at the technology and engineering hub on Dallam Lane can interrogate the building’s bespoke chatbot, nicknamed the BaseBot, to find out information related to their use and occupancy of the building.
“The BaseBot allows occupants to identify basic information such as whether any mail has been logged for them,” explains Sylvie Morton of Langtree, which manages the building on behalf of owner Warrington & Co.
“This is proving particularly popular in light of the covid emergency as people can check information remotely if they have to work from home,“ she says.
The system could go much further, helping tenants identify their latest energy usage, rent and rates payable – even current broadband speeds on the building’s super-fast fibre network.
“BaseBot is designed to give as much control to our tenants as possible,” says Mrs Morton. “We’re adding to its functionality and it’s already proving very popular, with more than 50 percent of tenants logging in regularly.”
The system has been developed by Base tenant Chatbot Labs which earlier this year predicted a productivity and jobs revolution in the northwest from the uptake of new chatbots.
A chatbot is simply a programme that automates processes on command, interrogating the host’s multiple data sources to find the answer to any question. The command can be verbal or written, with Chris Bain of Chatbot Labs describing them as ‘the office equivalent of Alexa or Siri.’ He predicts that soon all businesses and buildings will have them.
“It’s great that Warrington is leading the country on this innovation,” he says. “It’s really straightforward and it made sense to showcase it at The Base. We’re developing BaseBot as we go but any company can adopt the principle,” he suggests.
“If you run an accountancy practice and want to review a client’s file you can ask the chatbot to find the information for you whilst you and colleagues get on with something more valuable. Factories have had robots for decades and now offices will soon have digital robots.”
The system is now being developed to allow more sophisticated queries that will allow tenants to get a much more rounded view of their occupancy needs and uses.
