Robots replace hotel check-in staff — and a tourist freaks out when they talk back: ‘Don't look at me'
Machines are seemingly rendering us obsolete in every sector, from manufacturing to the restaurant industry. In a recent example, an Argentinian tourist was taken aback after discovering that her hotel in Japan had replaced its receptionists with talking robots, as seen in a dystopian TikTok video with more than 845,000 views.
'The receptionists are robots,' wailed the traveler — who goes by @manuenalemania — in the clip, before panning to the cybernetic clerks, who stand stiffly behind the counter in white outfits and pillbox hats like something out of 'Blade Runner.'
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'Don't look at me, don't look at me, don't look at me,' frets the TikTokker as one of the robo-receptionists greets her.
3 One of the robo-receptionists at the Henn na Hotel in Tokyo.
@manuenalemania/TikTok
At one point, it even wishes her a 'delightful stay.'
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She was reportedly staying at a Henn na Hotel — 'Henn na' translates to 'strange' in Japanese — in Tokyo, a chain that enlists a variety of humanoid hospitality bots to cater to guests, The Travel reported. The first Henn na opened in Nagasaki with the goal of revolutionizing the hospitality industry by providing visitors with more expedient service.
There are now more than 20 branches of the futuristic inns, whose lobbies are staffed by either humanoid or — wait for it — dinosaur droids. Other high-tech amenities include interactive holograms and RoBoHoN, a mobile robot assistant.
3 'The receptionists are robots,' wailed the traveler.
@manuenalemania/TikTok
While the intent was to enhance the check-in experience, Manu found the experience extremely unsettling.
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'You scare me a lot,' she says to one of the automatons while checking in. She scans her passport at the automated kiosk and inputs the dates of her stay, after which the machine deposits a key card.
3 The Henn na Hotel in Tokyo.
Ned Snowman – stock.adobe.com
That's when the robot addresses her.
'Your check-in is now complete,' the droid rigidly declares. 'We hope you have a delightful stay at our hotel.'
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It then bows, prompting the freaked-out Manu to exclaim, 'Ay noooooooo!'
Commenters were similarly creeped out by the check-in droids, whose role appears to be purely cosmetic.
'You study hospitality for this,' said one, commenting on the phenomenon of robots replacing human staff.
'At least they didn't treat you badly,' said another, while others compared the bots to something out of the sci-fi thriller series 'Black Mirror.'
Coincidentally, Henna has notably 'furloughed' over half of its 240 robotic staffers due to operational challenges, including malfunctions and a failure to meet guest expectations, which ironically created more work for their flesh-and-blood counterparts, the Travel reported.
Many customers claimed that the robot receptionists would often misinterpret commands, highlighting the limitations of this so-called high-tech hospitality.
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As such, Henna has hired more human employees to pick up the slack.
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Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Woman Who Doesn't Open Doors, Order Her Own Food Speaks Out About Controversial 'Princess Treatment' Content (Exclusive)
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Buzz Feed
2 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
27 Cratejoy Subscriptions To Help You Start A New Hobby
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All items included in this box are suited for growing food in containers, raised beds, or directly in the ground. So whether you've got room for rows and rows of veggies or a small windowsill setup, this box has got your new fave hobby ready to go! Price: $36 per box (also available in a 3-month subscription) A mini jigsaw puzzle monthly box for turning your coffee table into a calm little corner of cozy concentration. Promising reviews: "The puzzle pieces are really small, but it was so much fun putting it together. I am so glad that I subscribed and can't wait for the next one." —Ann H."They're small enough to do almost anywhere. Can redo them over and over again and still takes between 30-45 mins. Good way to relax." —Teresa P. Price: $23.99 per box (also available in 3- and 6-month subscriptions) A paint pouring art box so you can make messy magic without needing a single brushstroke of experience. And gloves and an apron are included, so no fear of turning your clothes and hands into unintentional "art projects." Promising review: "I ordered three months of Chartiers Creek Creative Arts paint pour kits for each of two people, including me. The kits included everything we needed for us novices, including detailed instructions. The two of us worked on our kits together, remotely, via Zoom. What a great time. I only wish I had found these during the pandemic when we were home-bound. What a fun way to stay connected. The seller was great to work with. I can't say enough good things about these kits." —Chris $59.99 per box (also available in 3-, 6-, and 12-month subscriptions) A wood-burning DIY kit if you want a hobby that's also going to do you a solid come holiday season, because you can make so many cool personalized things with your newly honed skills! Prep your friends and fam now: They're going to be getting FULLY CUSTOM wood signs this year. Promising review: "This is a great way to find a new hobby! Lots of fun!" —Electra $44 A Weekend Warrior box so you can start using a "gone fishing" sign unironically. The box comes with a selection of lures and baits to get your tackle box in tip-top shape! Promising review: "Got this as a Christmas gift. The quality and amount of things I have gotten have been exceptional. Definitely recommend!" —Brady $31.99 (also available in 3-, 6-, and 12-month subscriptions) And finally, a cookbook box that will have you excited to make your meal plan for the week because you'll have SO MANY NEW recipes to explore and work your way through! If cooking is something you enjoy or something you want to gain experience in, have a new cookbook arrive on your doorstep to get you kick-started. Promising review: "I have received two shipments of cookbooks, and am over the moon thrilled! What a treat to open these! Highly recommend!" —MelissaPrice: $34.99 per box (also available in 3-, 6-, and 12-month subscriptions)
New York Post
4 hours ago
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Livvy Dunne goes to the Hamptons for Fourth of July beach weekend
The Fourth of July had some perfect beach weather in the New York area, and Olivia 'Livvy' Dunne wasn't going to miss out. The viral sensation and former LSU gymnast traveled to the Hamptons for a beach day, according to snaps on her Instagram account. Dunne, who boasts north of 5 million followers on the social media platform, posted on both her story and main feed, the latter of which contained a three-photo carousel at a beach in Southampton on the east end of Long Island. 3 Livvy Dunne poses on a beach in Southampton, NY on July 4 weekend. Livvy Dunne/Instagram 3 Livvy Dunne poses on a beach in Southampton, NY on July 4 weekend. Livvy Dunne/Instagram 3 Livvy Dunne poses on a beach in Southampton, NY on July 4 weekend. Livvy Dunne/Instagram 'Red, white & freckled,' she wrote as she posed on the sand in, not surprisingly, a red and white bikini. To block out some of the sun, she also wore a straw hat. Dunne also posted one picture to her Instagram story while having fun with a friend in Bridgehampton, later uploading a video to TikTok in an all-white dress. Last year, Dunne had attended Michael Rubin's ever-famous white party in the Hamptons, which Page Six reported did not happen this year. It's not the first time this summer that Dunne, a New Jersey native, has shared some looks into her post-LSU life, as she posted about her 'East Coast summer' in June, which included pictures of sunbathing in a blue and white bikini and partying with influencer Alix Earle at the Jersey Shore. Dunne, a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model for 2025, also took in a Mets game at Citi Field in mid-May when the Pirates — the team Paul Skenes, her boyfriend, pitches for — took on the Mets before she went to Madison Square Garden for a Knicks playoff game the next week.
