As reported by itworld.com, a Japanese hotel in a theme park near Nagasaki in southern Japan will open a smart hotel that utilizes androids that greet guests and robots that serve and clean! The hotel is called “Henn-na Hotel, meaning “Strange Hotel†in English.” They will replace room keys with facial recognition and auction rooms to the highest bidder during peak season.

Hotel To Have Androids Greet Guests And Robots As Maids

The Henn na Hotel at the Huis Ten Bosch theme parl, shown here in an architect’s illustration, will have robot staff and a novel auction process for reservations in peak seasons. Photo courtesy The Japan Times

“The facility will open a first phase in July with 72 rooms, and another phase with same capacity next year. Rooms will start from Â¥7,000 (US$59), and will be open to an online auction system in which guests can bid for the rate they want. The minimum price is far below the rates at the three other hotels at the theme park (which start around Â¥20,000 to Â¥30,000) because the use of robots, power-saving equipment such as LED lights and renewable energy is expected to significantly reduce operating costs.”

A theme park near Nagasaki in southern Japan will open a smart hotel featuring female androids that greet guests. This publicity shot from robot maker Kokoro, which will participate in the hotel, shows an Actroid android. Credit: Huis Ten Bosch/Kokoro

Bottom Line

This is a highly interesting concept. They certainly will save money on not having to hire as large a staff but, it makes me wonder how well the robots can clean and accommodate what guests are asking for. It will definitely be interesting to see the reviews of the Henn-na Hotel after it opens in July. What do you think of this concept?