Hi

When I set up Guilford Accounting, I decided that our business model wouldn’t include offices or employees. We outsource many of the services we provide to our wonderful bookkeepers and payroll specialists, and our admin and marketing to talented freelancers, but my home office has always been largely just me.

That’s suited me fine - until recently, when I started to wonder if there was a better way. A way to keep the flexibility and low overheads, but still have a little extra support on hand when I need it. Not a human employee, but something more reliable, more tireless, and - if we’re honest - a bit more futuristic.

Could a personal robot assistant be part of the answer?

It reminded me of The Championships currently taking place at Wimbledon. Not long ago, every call about whether the ball was in or out relied on a human line judge - someone squinting along the baseline trying to make a split-second decision. Now, Wimbledon has moved to fully electronic line calling. No human line judges at all. The system is accurate, consistent, and doesn’t get tired or distracted (unless as we saw at the weekend a human interferes!)

For me, that’s the perfect analogy. Although robots won’t replace all the human judgement in a business, there are plenty of tasks where technology can do the job faster, more reliably, and with fewer errors—freeing us to focus on what only we can do.

If like me you’re running a small business you wear multiple hats—sales, support, finance admin, you name it. Imagine having a personal robot assistant—right there in your office—to take care of routine tasks, help with client interactions, and free up your time to focus on strategic growth.

I’ve delved into the latest research and real-world pilots. Here’s what I’ve found—and how this could work for businesses like yours.

AI Assistants Are Walking Off the Screen

Virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa have been helping us for years. But the next step is embodied AI: software on wheels or legs. One example is OfficeMate, a social robot tested in office environments to reduce stress, offer health reminders and even foster informal conversations.

In fact, Pepper, a humanoid receptionist robot, has been deployed in UK offices and banks, handling greetings, facial recognition and even drink orders.

For a small business, the idea is to combine the reliability of virtual assistants with physical presence. Think of a robot that can greet walk-in clients, nudge you about appointments, or fetch office supplies—without any complaints or sick days.

‘Socially Aware’ AI Makes Robots More Human

Robots such as SARA - a socially aware AI assistant - are already helping conference attendees by learning their preferences and adapting conversation tone.

With advanced natural language processing and adaptive learning, these robots engage in a way that feels personal. For your business, that could mean a robot receptionist that picks up when someone’s had a long day, offers a coffee, or suggests scheduling a follow-up—all without you lifting a finger.

Use Cases That Make Sense Now

What’s Ready to Buy Now

• Pepper (SoftBank Robotics): Already deployed in offices to greet and assist. UK suppliers offer lease or purchase options.
• Misty II by Furhat Robotics: A tabletop conversational robot with developer support. Used in education, healthcare, and business settings.
• Custom Options: Companies like Newo.ai allow you to plug your digital assistant into various robot bodies—bespoke solutions suited to smaller businesses.

Here’s a step-by-step guide if you’re considering adopting a robot assistant:

1. Map your repetitive front-of-office tasks – reception, scheduling, reminders.
2. Explore pilots – reach out to providers like SoftBank or Furhat. Rent or trial before committing.
3. Integrate with your systems – can the robot plug into your accounting software, CRM, or appointment calendars?
4. Measure effectiveness – track how many interactions it handles, client satisfaction, and time saved.
5. Train yourself and any freelancers – robots work best when everyone knows how to interact with them.
6. Review and iterate – refine the robot’s scripts, tasks, appearance, and conversation style over time.

Why This Is a Smart Move Now

• Affordable pilots, often under £5k per month, offer proof of concept without huge risk.
• Desktop robots like Misty II cost around £2,000–£3,000 and are highly programmable.
• A robot assistant adds a layer of professionalism and technological edge—ideal for an accountancy or advisory business serving tech-savvy clients.
• Robots like OfficeMate have shown that the human-robot combination can reduce stress and improve productivity.

For small businesses that embrace cloud accounting and digital tools, personal robot assistants are more than novelty - they’re a real, accessible way to boost efficiency and client experience. These aren’t science fiction -they’re available now, and they’re only getting better.

Is there a better way to serve your clients or streamline your operations with one of these assistants? It’s worth exploring.

Noel Guilford