South Korean operator KT has launched its AI-enabled hotel service robot in Seoul. The AI hotel robot, dubbed ‘N bot’, started its official service at Novotel Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun Hotels & Residences, to serve guests in 100 rooms, Yonhap news agency reports, citing a company statement. KT used 3D location mapping, autonomous driving and AI camera capabilities to develop the robot.
Guests can request items through voice command or touch screen of KT's GiGa Genie device in a room, and N bot will identify the location to deliver the items, SK said. With help of its autonomous driving technology, the robot can take an elevator to move from one floor to another and stop or pass by oncoming people to avoid collisions.
Back in February, KT opened a robot cafe in the main venue of MWC Barcelona to serve free coffee to visitors. The barista robot served 47 kinds of drinks at the GSMA Innovation City exhibition hall. In October this year, KT announced it will start selling its hotel service offering artificial intelligence-based features to hotels in the Philippines. The service will be gradually expanded to hotels in Singapore, Dubai and Guam.
KT recently announced plans to invest KRW 300 billion (approximately USD 256.9 million) in the next four years to develop advanced AI-based services. KT will develop AI technology in the areas of language, image, analysis and problem solving, in an attempt to increase the number of AI-enabled devices to 100 million by 2025.