Korean robot streamlines check-in, facility guidance in four languages

[Photo by Lee Seung-hoon]

Damin Robot Co., a South Korean developer of service robots, has advanced into Japan with ClerkBot, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered hotel assistant.

Currently undergoing trials at the Yumoto Hananoi Super Hotel in Osaka, this robot is a multilingual, highly interactive assistant that helps with check-in, check-out, and provides guests with information about the hotel’s services.

Standing at 120 cm tall with a 10.25-inch touch screen for a face, ClerkBot can communicate in four languages: Korean, Japanese, English, and Chinese.

It guides hotel guests, helps them find various facilities, and even assists faster than human staff, like directing guests to smoking rooms.

Damin Robot developed the hardware, while the software and user interface (UI) were provided by USEN-ALMEX, a Japanese systems integration (SI) firm under U-NEXT Holdings, a major player in Japan’s IT and media industries.

U-NEXT is well-known for its position as one of Japan’s top three over-the-top (OTT) service providers behind Netflix.

ClerkBot is designed to reduce repetitive tasks for hotel employees, enhancing overall efficiency and allowing staff to focus on more valuable customer service. The robot is equipped with front and rear cameras to track guest movements and offer assistance in multiple languages, moving alongside guests as needed.

Damin Robot is the first Korean company to pass Japan’s stringent quality requirements for custom-designed service robots. In contrast to cheaper, generic models, ClerkBot is a tailor-made solution specifically designed to meet the demands of Japan’s hospitality industry.

“Damin Robot is the perfect partner to produce the high-quality product for us,” said Susumu Inoue, CTO of USEN-ALMEX. “ClerkBot not only improves operational efficiency by reducing unnecessary tasks but also allows for a higher standard of customer service.”

The trial period for ClerkBot at the Osaka hotel will continue until September 15, with plans to introduce the robot to all 170 Super Hotel locations across Japan.

Full-scale product rollout is expected next year, following the successful completion of the trial.

Damin Robot CEO Kang Bok-hyun emphasized that the company’s strong technical capabilities, particularly in autonomous navigation, self-charging, and camera recognition, were key factors in the successful partnership with USEN-ALMEX.

“We began developing the concept with USEN-ALMEX two years ago and after multiple technical meetings, we launched the trial on September 2,” Kang said. “Our in-house expertise in robotics has been a strong advantage.”

Damin Robot’s entry into the Japanese market was also supported by Lim Bum-sik, CEO of Shinsei Corp., a Japanese company. After learning about Damin Robot’s success in supplying hospital rounds and disinfection robots to Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Lim introduced Damin Robot to USEN-ALMEX for partnership.