Hacker Dojo Executive Director, Ed Choudhry, is a busy person. Anyone who runs a non-profit knows lean budgets require lean staffing, which usually means that team members have to serve double-duty. “I was a one-man show,” admits Ed. As the only staff member, Ed spends a lot of time scheduling and giving tours to prospective members and event organisers, while struggling to consistently meet the needs of 220+ Dojo members. 

Founded in 2009, Hacker Dojo is a501(c)(3) non-profit organisation that provides a space for people to connect, communicate, exchange knowledge and build things together. Part co-working space, part maker space, and part event space, the Dojo is open 24/7 for collaborative activities. Pinterest got their start here, using Hacker Dojo as their primary workspace, and hired both of their first two engineers from the Dojo’s membership. 

The Challenges of Running a Non-Profit

As the place where startups get started, it’s important to provide open access for member-led classes, workshops, job placement services, investment, and mentorship. For the Dojo’s leadership, serving the needs of members and keeping the space safe and functioning smoothly around the clock is its top priority. As the only staff member, Ed spends a lot of time scheduling and giving tours to prospective members and event organisers. 

So how do they run a non-profit on a tight budget that offers 24/7 access to services? After meeting OhmniLabs, at a conference, Ed knew that a robot receptionist would help save him time without having to cut down on any services that were available to Dojo members. 

How Robots Can Increase Productivity

Since November 2018, Ohmni telepresence robot has been a prominent presence at Hacker Dojo as the receptionist, tour guide, and security guard. Upon entering the space, visitors are greeted by Ohmni sitting at the front desk. Visitors tap a button and Ed receives a Slack notification that someone needs attention. Instead of hustling from his back office to the main entrance each time, Ed can dial into Ohmni telepresence robot to answer questions and guide visitors through the membership registration process. 

Through Ohmni, Ed also gives tours to event organisers, sometimes remotely from home. Having Ohmni telepresence robot in the office means that organisers can schedule a tour on the weekend, instead of within Ed’s office hours. Event organisers also appreciate the ability to gain control of Ohmni to tour the space themselves at their own pace. The flexibility Ohmni offers fits perfectly into Hacker Dojo’s mission of keeping the space as open and accessible as possible. 

For a space that is open 24/7, there are always security concerns. Without the funds to hire a security guard and not wanting to close the space at night or on weekends, Ed has been using Ohmni remotely to monitor the space. Members now use their RFID badges at the front desk more regularly since they know someone is watching. While the Dojo is open 24/7, members are not allowed to sleep there; if someone inadvertently falls asleep after hours, Ed spots them via Ohmni and gently nudges them to wake up. 

Conclusion

The Ohmni Telepresence Robot has increased Ed’s productivity. “On average, I save about 3 hours/week using Ohmni,” reports Ed. That’s 144 more hours/year to focus on Hacker Dojo’s social missions of education and workforce development. In the future, Ed and his members look forward to building and adding more custom capabilities to Ohmni, thanks to the flexibility of Ohmni’s operating system. The robot has become an integral part of Hacker Dojo in its mission to provide an open space for members to build together. 

This is just one example of how robots can increase productivity and save time. 

Ready to purchase your own Ohmni Telepresence Robot in Australia or New Zealand? Visit the Robots4Good Store to order your robot today. https://www.robots4good.com.au/

About Robots4Good

A leading provider of robots as a service, Robots4Good is the exclusive supplier of OhmniLabs robots and services in Australia and New Zealand for business, manufacturing, schools, hospitals, disability and aged care settings.