From greeting guests and the front desk, to taking orders and restaurants, to helping with check-in at the airport, robots are taking over human positions perhaps in more ways than we had ever anticipated.
Here are some key ways that robots are transforming travel and tourism.
Hospitality & Customer Service
- Hotel Robots: Some hotels, like the Henn-na Hotel in Japan, use robotic receptionists to check in guests. Service robots also deliver food, drinks, and room supplies.
- Concierge Robots: Robots like “Connie” by Hilton (powered by IBM’s Watson) provide guests with local recommendations.
- Cleaning Robots: Automated robots handle cleaning and sanitization in hotels, airports, and other tourist spaces.
Airports & Transportation
- Check-in & Security: Airports use robots to assist passengers with check-in, security screening, and wayfinding. For example, Seoul’s Incheon Airport has robots guiding passengers.
- Baggage Handling: Automated systems transport and sort luggage more efficiently.
- Driverless Shuttles: Self-driving vehicles are being tested for airport transfers and city tourism.
Tourist Attractions & Theme Parks
- Interactive Guides: Museums and tourist attractions use robots to provide guided tours, like the Smithsonian’s “Pepper” robot.
- Entertainment Robots: Disney theme parks incorporate animatronic and AI-powered robots to enhance attractions.
Restaurants & Food Service
- Robot Waiters: Restaurants in tourist hubs use robots to serve food, like in China and Japan. But take another look at the supposed robot above, folks. She is actually the owner of the restaurant who entertains guests by acting like she’s a robot. Yep, she is human.
- Automated Kitchens: Some food courts and hotels use robotic chefs for fast and consistent food preparation.
Language Translation & Assistance
AI-Powered Translators: Robots and AI devices provide instant translation for travelers, improving communication in foreign destinations.
Travel Assistance & Information
- AI Chatbots & Virtual Assistants: Online booking platforms and tourist centers use AI-driven chatbots to provide 24/7 assistance.
- Smart Kiosks: Self-service robots help travelers find maps, tickets, and travel recommendations.
One thing is for sure: Robots are a part of our lives now and are here to stay. From the simplest vacuum cleaners that some of us have in our homes to high-crime robot dogs that bravely go where we cannot even make a real dog go, robots are here to stay. So enjoy the trip, no pun intended.
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