The Henn na Hotel, or "Weird Hotel" in English, is absolutely one of its kind. From the hotel's front desk to the porter, this hotel in southwestern Japan features staff made up almost entirely of robots in an effort to save on labor costs.
The hotel is run by Hideo Sawada, who insists that having robots should not be deemed as a gimmick. It is rather a serious move to use the full advantages brought about by technology to achieve efficiency.
"I wanted to highlight innovation," said Sawada. "I also wanted to do something about hotel prices going up."
An overnight stay in the hotel costs at around 9,000 yen or $80, which is considered a bargain in Japan since nicer hotels charge around two or three times higher.
Hotel guests are greeted by the receptionist robot, a vicious-looking dinosaur that can speak English.
"If you want to check in, push 1," the dinosaur robot would often instruct.
There is also a female humanoid noted for her lovely eyelashes. She can greet guests in Japanese.
There are still things guests should do by themselves when checking in, namely punching a button on the desk and entering one's information by typing on a touch screen.
Other robotic hotel staff include an automated trolley that acts like a porter; a doll-like hairless robot equipped with voice recognition software that serves as the concierge; a robotic block that moves around the lobby; and a lamp-sized robot named "Tuly" that looks like a fat pink tulip and answers simple questions, such as "What time is it?" and "What is the weather tomorrow?"
As animated as they are, though, "They still can't make beds," Sawada admitted.
Tuly can, for instance, turn the room lights on or off, and the concierge prattles breakfast and event information, but they cannot call a cab or do anything more than prattling. The robotic block can, however, deliver beverage and simple snacks as part of room service.
The hotel also features the so-called "robot cloak room" where a giant robotic arm is encased in a glass-walled corner of the hotel lobby. The spot is used as a locker where guests can leave items by placing them first inside a box and the giant robotic arm stacks them neatly with the other boxes into the wall.
Sawada also demonstrated a drone that can deliver a few small jars filled with snacks. He hopes to someday have drones that can perform shows to entertain guests.
The hotel is filled with security cameras, but the footage is monitored by real people to ensure a safe stay for the guests and keep a watchful eye on the expensive robots lest they be smuggled out of the hotel.
The Henn na Hotel, in the city of Sasebo, Nagasaki prefecture, will be formally open for business on July 17.
