While use of robots in the service industry is by no means a new topic in Japan, there has been an observable uptick in gravitation towards it due to some preference for contactless customer-server interaction during the pandemic. An example of this has been server and delivery robots, as seen by one ramen chain's ramen robot staff.
Popular yakiniku chain Watami is embracing the same trend with a twist. For a limited time, the nationwide grilled meat dining chain will be offering Vtuber server robots.
From June 13 to July 10, select Watami locations (Ikebukuro Seibu East Exit Store, Kokubunji South Exit Store, Kawagoe Crea Mall Store, and Sakado North Exit Ekimae Store) in Japan will be offering virtual servers using the "KettyBot," a large-screen touch tablet-equipped food delivery robot.
The robots, fitted with a screen that displays the personality of one of three selected Vtubers, will greet and guide customers. After the customer is seated, the robot will provide an explanation of the restaurant and first order to the customer using the large touch-order screen mounted on the robot in a pre-recorded video by the Vtuber, which is in hope of cutting down on customers waiting for staff.
Of course, human staff is also on hand to make sure things run smoothly.
The three Vtubers who will be displayed as attached personalities to the staff robot were selected from a vote on the live-streaming app "REALITY", and their names are Hoshizora Natsuno, Chiitaya and Kagisuke.
Hoshizora Natsuno
Chiitaya
Kagisuke
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8 Comments
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Fighto!
Sign of the times. While many people do prefer a waitress, these robots do not need a salary, dont need to be trained , are reliable - and definitely the way of the future in all Japanese businesses. Furthermore, they do not need to commute to work and take up seats on trains.
Robots, AI and drones are the answer to shrinking populations in Japan and many other nations. Good development by Watami - and it will be permanent, make no mistake.
virusrex
If the robots shorten the eternities it takes to get your drinks while under the "all you can drink" fee I am all for them.
Capuchin
Something about the proximity of the words "Vtuber" and "meat" makes me uncomfortable.
Tom San
Reading the comments here has made me an expert in robotics and yakiniku cuisine.
TokyoLiving
Very nice..
ONLY IN JAPAN!!..
Frikiest and coolest country of the World!!..
GBR48
I'm not sure Hoshizora Natsuno could wear much less without causing a fuss, but I can imagine some clubs will be taking this aspect further.
At this rate, a decade from now, most Japanese people won't speak or interact with each other at all. The birth rate will be tiny. Human interaction is generally good for mental health, so there might be issues there. There does seem to have been an uptick in random attacks in Japan during the last two years.
louisferdinandc
Anything but immigration and having to interact with actual human beings, I guess is the devise of the country. Hope the robots can pay taxes and social security and support Japan pensions system.
Sven Asai
You are right, that’s only possible in Japan. At most places anywhere else, and some would take the meal plates before the robot reached your table, put something illegal like k.o. drugs into the food, block or destroy the robot or steal just the whole thing for sale, and so on. Enjoy that little technological test balloon while it’s still there, it has of course not much future on a broad basis. You would need NPPs everywhere and two additional lithium planets near Earth to bring those and similar delivery service robots into all restaurants , company and hotel buildings or onto all streets. lol