The Robot Staff Coming to a Hotel Near You

The robots are coming! Don't worry, we're not about to have our existence threatened by the rise of the machines - however, we are seeing a gradual trend towards the deployment of robotic staff in hotels and even on cruise ships. 

In a recent survey we carried out with 6,000 people in Asia, Europe, North America and South America, nearly 80% of respondents said they expect robots to play a big part in their lives before 2020, with three quarters believing they will make their lives significantly better.

Whether you agree with that or not, it looks like the robots are here to stay. It's time to meet the new breed of cyborg staff...

Mario at the Ghent Marriott Hotel 

This relaxed-looking chap goes by the name of Mario. You’ll find him manning the front desk at the Ghent Marriott Hotel, where he helps fellow receptionists with check-in. Apparently he speaks 19 languages and entertains guests with his dance moves. Just don’t expect him to carry your bags to the room.  

Toshiba’s Chihira Robot Series

It’s one thing having a robot like Mario that looks very obviously, well, robotic. But how about an android that’s made to look like a 32-year-old Japanese hostess? Meet Toshiba Chihira Series of robots. In the main picture (above), you can see ChihiraAico, and below is the tech giant's latest generation of robot, Chihira Kanae, which was unveiled at the ITB travel trade show in March, 2016. This lifelike creation, which can make conversation, sing and even play classical music, is set to be rolled out to department stores and hotels across Japan.  

The Japanese hotel staffed by robotic dinosaurs

If the idea of being checked in to your hotel by a humanoid robot seems just a little too run-of-the-mill (and why wouldn’t it?), how about being greeted by a robotic dinosaur? It’s of little surprise that this concept also comes to us by way of Japan – the 5-star Henn-na Hotel in Nagasaki, specifically – where the reception desk looks like this: 

Other futuristic touches at the Henn-na (which translates as “weird”, of course) include cutting-edge facial recognition system for keyless stays.

Dash: making splash in California

If you’re going to have a hotel in Silicon Valley, you need something special to grab the attention of the tech-savvy locals. The Crowne Plaza San Jose-Silicon Valley Hotel has managed just that with the introduction a staff member by the name of Dash, their resident room-service expert.

Three-feet-tall Dash can quickly deliver small items such as snacks, toothbrushes and other amenities to hotel guests. Designed to travel at a human walking pace, Dash can independently navigate between floors and call the hotel lift using a Wi-Fi connection.

His cousin Botlr (made by the same company, Savioke) can be found working down the road at the Aloft Cupertino. Here he is in action:

Androids afloat 

It’s not just hotels that are getting in on the act – robots are now taking to the high seas, staffing cruise ships and sailing into the future. Costa Cruise Lines, for example, has introduced Pepper, a trilingual assistant that can help passengers with embarkation information as well as recommendations for dining, events, and shore excursions.

Even more impressively, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas has a Bionic Bar with robot bartenders that mix cockatils and serve drinks.