What It's Really Like in a Robot Cafe?
Scary looking robots provide a social interaction opportunity for people with long term conditions and disabilities.
“When you get to Tokyo, you must go to this cafe.”
It was unusual for my partner to take an interest in my itinerary, but this time, he had seen something intriguing. Was it a five-star tasting menu or a gourmet dining experience? Sadly, no. Fascinated by tech, he spotted a robot cafe and decided that was the place for me to have lunch. As I’m writing on science and travel, it appeared to be the perfect match during my stay in Tokyo.
Japan is a country full of technological advances and has a significantly decreased birth rate with a growing older population. Workforce solutions, especially in the service industry, are critical, so robots are used in care homes, airports, and cafes. However, the Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe in Tokyo operates with a significant difference. Behind each table is a green-eyed robot operated by artificial intelligence. Some tables also have screens; given we’re all supposed to reduce screen time, especially while eating, this was a bit of a mystery. So, each robot is aligned with a human with a long-term condition or disability, and operating the chat helps them integrate with society (or confused visitors like me). Of course, thanks to the AI, they can communicate in most languages.
I was greeted by the robotic Maitre D, who asked what language I spoke. That enabled the robots to chat in the language of the table, making them the perfect hosts. First, it’s a case of ordering a drink or food and paying for it. The menu was limited. A shiny white robot showed me to my table, where I was observed by the ominous-looking green-eyed robotic head. Suddenly, it spoke, and I found myself in conversation with Hana from Osaka.
It appeared that Hana had a long-term condition and worked operating the robots. She had a short conversation with me, asking how I liked Tokyo. I found out she rarely leaves home, and the cafe helps her interact with people. Within the robot cafe, it’s possible to book a session on screen with one of the human operators to chat with them as well to find out more about their experiences of life; however, on my visit, all those places were fully booked. It was interesting talking to Hana as I found myself asking permission to take a photo even though I was looking at a robotic head.
Robot Waiter
In the corner of my eye, I could see robot waiters bringing drinks to people. Humans operated the orders in the cafe, which included giving the odd robot a shove so it moved in the right direction. The squeaky, high-pitched chatter was beginning to irritate me. Where was my drink? I noticed a robot wandering around the tables with what looked like my order. Should I disturb it or give it a poke? I waited. And waited.
Eventually, a human redirected the waiter, who glided over to my table after having the correct number programmed into its system. I took the order, and both Hana and the waiter hoped I enjoyed my drink. Eating while being stared at by robots felt uncomfortable but funny in a strange way, and I felt conscious of their every movement or green-eyed stare. I almost expected them to correct my table manners. At the other end of the restaurant, a fierce-looking robotic barista made drinks. It looked like it wouldn’t take any nonsense from anyone and woebetide anyone who got the orders wrong.
The scary-looking robot coffee barista
Although the food was unremarkable, the experience was quite unique, and I wouldn't have missed it. However, I was about to find out the true value of having humans in restaurants. As I returned from the loo and was about to leave, one of the human staff stopped me. I had dropped my transportation pass under the table, and they wanted to ensure I got it back. Would the robots have spotted that? I think not- so we all need that human intervention of kindness despite the advances in technology.
Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe, 3-8-3 Nihonbashi-Honcho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0023, Japan
https://dawn2021.orylab.com/