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Yating Yang

A hi-tech Japanese hotel has left an influencer from Argentina stunned by its fully robot-staffed reception.
The influencer said the hotel scene resembled the setting of the famous television series Black Mirror.
The self-service hotel chain features humanoid robots in uniforms handling everything from check-in to checkout.
An Argentine influencer identified as manuenalemania who has over 46,000 followers on social media, brought the hotel set-up to the public spotlight.

On June 25, she told how her check-in and checkout experiences at Henn na Hotel in Tokyo were entirely handled by robots. The post garnered more than 88,000 views.
Henn na Hotel, which first opened in Nagasaki in 2015, now has more than 20 branches across Japan, including in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto. It has even expanded internationally to Seoul and New York.
One of its branches, Henn na Hotel Maihama Tokyo Bay, features dinosaur-themed robots.
However, while the hotel promotes its hi-tech self-service check-in as a key feature, the influencer found the experience unsettling.

She said the whole thing resembled the atmosphere of the British series Black Mirror and described the robots as “cold and eerie”.
The series is known for its exploration of technology, social media, and human behaviour, often presenting a dark, unsettling and thought-provoking vision of the future.
In her video, she told of seeing several humanoid robots lined up behind the counter, dressed in neat uniforms with small round hats.
“Do not look at me, do not look at me, do not look at me,” she nervously mutters as one of the robotic receptionists turns towards her.
“You scare me a lot,” she said to another as she checked in.
The woman then scanned her passport at the kiosk and entered the dates of her stay, after which the machine dispensed a key card.
“Your check-in is now complete,” the robot declared. “We hope you have a delightful stay at our hotel.”
The viral video sparked a wave of online reactions, dividing public opinion.
Some viewers found it unsettling.
One person said: “This is how horror films start.”
However, another, more positive person said: “At least they do not have bad attitudes like real people.”

It has been reported that the hotel has cut more than half of its robotic staff and rehired human workers to maintain service quality due to frequent command misinterpretations and an inability to handle customer complaints effectively.
The move prompted a lively discussion online in China.
“This is just a small bump on the road to AI fully replacing human workers,” one person said.
“It looks really convenient! But that dinosaur robot is so realistic. It is kind of terrifying,” another wrote.
Many hotels in China have also introduced service robots in limited roles, such as delivering takeaway or helping guests with basic services.


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Viral stories

‘Black Mirror’: Argentine tourist amazed by hi-tech Japan hotel staffed by humanoid robots

An online influencer from Argentina has been left shocked and amazed by a hi-tech Japanese hotel staffed by humanoid robots. Photo: SCMP composite/group.hennnahotel

One of the robots that greets visitors arriving at the hotel’s reception desk. Photo: group.hennnahotel

The Argentinian influencer’s social media post about the robotic hotel staff has attracted more than 88,000 views. Photo: group.hennnahotel

The hotel chain’s Tokyo Bay outlet features a dinosaur robot which some online observers have described as “terrifying”. Photo: group.hennnahotel

Chinese design firm converts swimming pool into office, triggers safety probe

A company in China converted a swimming pool into an office, triggering an official safety investigation. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Douyin

The swimming pool safety signs are clearly visible in the company’s workspace.. Photo: Handout

In at the deep end: Electricity in the “pool office” came from sockets installed on the floor. Photo: Handout

While some online observers hailed the temporary office idea, others worried that the swimming pool set up could be a safety hazard. Photo: Handout

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A father in China who has carried his disabled son to school every day for the past 12 years has vowed to do the same when he goes to university. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

Chuan Zhuyu suffers from a muscular disorder which denies him the use of his legs. Photo: handout

Chuan’s father makes four trips a day to the school, carrying his son on his back each time. Photo: handout

Chuan is much loved by his fellow pupils and hopes to major in computer science when he goes to university. Photo: handout

Chinese feminist icon Song Jia praises fellow actresses, says being ‘pretty’ is not enough

The Post profiles the award-winning Chinese actress and feminist icon Song Jia. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo

Song Jia with her award. She graciously paid tribute to her fellow nominees at the recent awards ceremony in Shanghai. Photo: handout

Some of her millions of fans online praised Song for being unpretentious and sophisticated. Photo: handout

Chinese man dances on live-streams nightly to fund cancer treatments for wife and daughter

A Chinese man live-streams his dance performances nightly to raise funds for the cancer treatment of his wife and daughter. Photo: SCMP composite/Baidu

The couple’s once joyful life took a devastating turn in June last year when their younger daughter was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma, followed six months later by the woman’s breast cancer diagnosis. Photo: Baidu

In April, Wen began dancing on a live-streaming platform at night to generate income while caring for his family during the day. Photo: Baidu

Wen has expressed his determination not to give up, stating, “Otherwise my wife and daughters will be left helpless.” Photo: Baidu

Japanese firm pays US$7 to scan and capture people’s brainwaves, turn them into art

A company in Japan is offering to scan your brain and turn your innermost thoughts and emotions into saleable works of art. Photo: SCMP composite/hacosco.com/QQ.com

The company says the brain wave scanning process takes just 100 seconds. Photo: handout

The artwork that results from the scan can be affected by the participant’s mindset at the time. Photo: handout

The Tokyo firm says brain scan data like that above can be turned into an aesthetically pleasing piece of art. Photo: handout

News

People & Culture

‘Cold and eerie’ hospitality robots, described as ‘terrifying’ by some, provoke divided reaction online; see hotel re-hire some real human staff


‘Cold and eerie’ hospitality robots, described as ‘terrifying’ by some, provoke divided reaction online; see hotel re-hire some real human staff.


Japan

Argentina

Robotics

‘Black Mirror’: Argentine tourist amazed by hi-tech Japan hotel staffed by humanoid robots

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Cold and eerie’ hospitality robots, described as ‘terrifying’ by some, provoke divided reaction online; see hotel re-hire some real human staff

‘Cold and eerie’ hospitality robots, described as ‘terrifying’ by some, provoke divided reaction online; see hotel re-hire some real human staff