Robot butler HOSPI serves drinks and assists hotel guests

HOSPI robots have been hard at work in hospitals, assisting patients and staff alike. Now, they are moving on to provide assistance at airports and hotels. Image: Panasonic

The age of robot butlers is nearly upon us as Panasonic launches a trial run of their indoor delivery robot, HOSPI.

HOSPI was scheduled to assist hotel guests at the Crown Plaza Ana Narita Hotel from the 14th of January up to the 18th. Afterwards, it will be moved to the Narita International Airport to work for five more days, starting on 23rd. It will be used to collect dishware in the airport lounge, reports Recode.

Panasonic’s robot is already deployed in several Japanese hospitals where it is used to deliver medicine and supplies to patients and hospital staff. This most recent trial run aims to help showcase HOSPI’s capabilities in a hospitality setting.

HOSPI is an autonomous robot that does not require any tracks or operator to accomplish its goals. It utilizes various sensors and collision avoidance technology to safely and effectively navigate the floor.

A screen mounted on top of the main body is able to display text, a simple smily face, and other graphics depending on the task at hand.

Work on HOSPI has been ongoing since 2004 and it was in 2014 that market-ready HOSPI robots were made available for hospitals.

Once bipedal robot technology improves further, companions robots may one day start rolling off the assembly line and be ready to serve their new human masters. Alfred Bayle