It’s worth noting that while Aloft offers Android alternatives to its Apple TV amenities, Project Jetson is not currently compatible with “OK Google,” Amazon’s Alexa, or any other voice assistant. (One hotel in Stockholm, the Clarion Hotel Amaranten, just launched a trial that's similar to Project Jetson, using Amazon's Alexa.) Marlo said guests without iPhones will always be able to access the technology via an in-room iPad and added that the program would evolve to accommodate Android users.
In the meantime, Marlo is hard at work on other forward-looking projects. For one thing, he’s developing smart floor sensors that could turn on the bathroom light when you get out of bed at night or alert room service to pick up the used tray you left outside. “We love to be on the cutting edge of everything,” he said. “We truly operate like a startup, throwing a lot of ideas at the wall to see what sticks.”
Also on his radar: mirrors with built-in touchscreen displays that could show you your e-mail or stock tickers while you’re getting ready. Those are currently in pilot mode at Aloft’s sister brand, Element. Find the first ones at the brand’s Newark, N.J., location.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.