On a sunlit terrace of Alicante’s famed Explanada promenade or inside a popular Rambla Asian restaurant, visitors often spot a surprising guest. It isn’t a humanoid creature from a sci‑fi tale, but Bella, a robot waitress who can greet patrons in twenty distinctive ways, glide dishes to tables with precision, and even wink through a screen that reflects catlike charm when appropriate.
These systems mark the early stage of a project by a startup from Elche named Boomerania, led by Isidro Fernández, aimed at weaving robots into everyday life. The founder notes that while factory floors already employ automation, social robotics still has room to grow. He also serves as head of the digital business division for a local logistics firm, a position that informs his broad view of technology’s reach into daily services.
The idea sufficiently matured during a period of global disruption, when the team began shaping the concept at Seur’s business center within Las Atalayas industrial park. The project’s initial headquarters welcomed collaboration with students from the Alicante University Robotics Engineering Department, who contributed insights and hands-on expertise to accelerate development.
Although waiter robots have drawn the most attention for commercial use, Boomerania has a broader lineup. Temi, a larger model, assists with hotel check‑in, guides guests through facilities, and takes some drudgery out of front‑of‑house tasks. Other units are designed for cleaning and even disinfection, a solution that a number of hotel chains are piloting from Barcelona to other cities as part of enhanced hygiene programs.
Temi’s emotionally intelligent design positions it as a companion for the elderly, already rolling out in Barcelona and Alicante. The robot can engage in conversations, suggest daily activities, monitor vital signs, and call for help if needed. It is also being explored as a practical support for seniors living alone, expanding the role of assistive robotics in home care and community settings.
The ability to perceive emotions is a notable feature. The system adapts its interactions based on perceived mood, offering appropriate assistance in real time. Reports have drawn interest from diverse sectors, including military and healthcare, where such emotional awareness could inform patient triage and staff support, or help manage stress during demanding situations.
Among the standout products at Boomerania is Ares, a four‑legged, camera‑equipped robot dog built to operate across varied terrain and even climb stairs. Ares is designed for surveillance and security duties, with the potential to expand into guided or assistive roles in the field. The company emphasizes a non‑offensive stance, requesting non‑lethal configurations and disallowing weapons as a core policy.
This focus on accessibility and affordability has helped Boomerania gain early traction, shipping more than a hundred units since the lineup first entered the market last autumn. Their pricing strategy covers a range from roughly six thousand euros for healthcare‑oriented models to about twelve thousand euros for larger waiter units. The team is actively pursuing rental options, aiming to bring a bar or café an effective on‑premises robot for roughly two hundred euros per month with minimal upfront costs. For elderly care assistance, monthly fees can be in the neighborhood of one hundred twenty‑five euros. In addition to service robots, Boomerania has developed robotic arms capable of serving beverages and even cooking, signaling a future where robots routinely operate behind bars and in kitchens.