Robot bartender bar opening in Kyoto, and no, they’re not controlled by AI
Human hearts and minds will be at the core of the OrySNACK Kyoto experience. You might be surprised at what you see when you walk into a place that calls itself a “snack bar” in Japan. Instead of hot dogs, French fries, and other quick and cheap bites to grab during a ballgame or between […]
A new robot bartender bar is set to open in Kyoto, Japan, run by a robot named OriHime-D, controlled remotely by human pilots. This OrySNACK Kyoto establishment will not follow the conventional trend of employing AI-controlled machines, but rather, utilize human pilots to operate the robotics. The robot bartenders in Japan's traditional snack bars, or "snack bars," serve light food and drinks that are meant to be enjoyed leisurely.
In this new venture, the robot bartender is expected to foster connections among customers as they chat with the "mama" or "master" of the bar. The robot is part of Tokyo-based Ory Labs' effort to provide opportunities for individuals with physical or mental disabilities to work and find purpose. The OriHime-D robot, which will debut in OrySNACK Kyoto, can be controlled even by someone lying down, making it suitable for people with spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, ALS, or SMA.
The robot will be piloting the bar inside the upcoming Bookhome bookstore in Kyoto's Shijo Karasuma neighborhood, opening on December 4. The campaign to fund the event has raised around 150% of its initial goal of 7.4 million yen (US$47,000) and will run for three more weeks.
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