The Sinclair, Fully Digital Hotel
February 5, 2020The hotel of tomorrow, is already here. It’s The Sinclair, Autograph Collection, in Forth Worth Texas. Intel and The Sinclair teamed up to build this one-of-a-kind, first all-digital hotel in the world. The building is packed with technology, which utilizes Intel’s IoT (Internet of Things).
Inside, the hotel’s staff are equipped with mobile devices to accomplish reservations and property management tasks. This, Intel says, will substantially improve productivity and customer service. Wireless point of sale systems that are scattered throughout the premises, let guests purchase food and beverages anywhere on the property.
Credit: Sinclair Holdings LLC
Sinks in the hotel’s restaurant are fully automated, which allow them to regulate water temperature and maintain a sufficient supply of soap and sanitizer. Guests also have access to smart meeting rooms with wireless displays, mobile keys and wireless charging stations.
Each room has motorized shades and drapes that can be controlled from the digital kiosk, a PoE (Power over Ethernet) enabled system. In said rooms, are smart LED mirrors that can that doubles as a display for the latest news, weather updates, contact information for guest services and play music.
Intel’s PoE NUC computers are tasked with managing many of these IoT systems in the hotel, which include gateways, controllers, data aggregation, edge computing, and an Intel Unite hub. And in the unlikely event that the building loses power, its lithium battery powered UPS systems will power the building. This negates the need for diesel emergency generators to be present.
Using the data collected by the IoT sensors and gateways, The Sinclair can analyse its daily operations and make changes where necessary to improve the guest, associate and operational experience. This could also help make future buildings more environmentally friendly and tailor services to match any guest’s individual needs.
Photo Credit: Sinclair Holdings LLC/Intel Corporation
