Pepper the robot comforts coronavirus patients being quarantined at Tokyo hotels

Pepper the robot comforts coronavirus patients being quarantined at Tokyo hotels as officials take over 2,800 rooms to free up hospital space amid pandemic

  • Coronavirus patients in Tokyo are moving into hotels while they quarantine 
  • The hotels are using robots to limit the spread of the virus to human workers
  • One hotel features Pepper, which is wearing a mask and greeting patients 
  • There are also AI-powered robots that are disinfecting the hotels 
  • Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Coronavirus patients with mild symptoms are quarantined at hotels in Tokyo staffed by robots.

Five hotels are around the city are using robots to help limit the spread, one being the world’s first social humanoid Pepper. 

‘Please, wear a mask inside,’ it says in a perky voice to welcome those moving into the hotel and also offers words of support – ‘I hope you recover as quickly as possible.’

Other facilities have employed AI-powered robots that disinfect surfaces to limit the need of human workers who are at risk of being exposed.

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Coronavirus patients with mild symptoms are quarantined at hotels in Tokyo staffed by robots. Five hotels are around the city are using robots to help limit the spread, one being the world’s first social humanoid Pepper (left)

Japan has more than 15,250 cases of coronavirus in the country and more than 550 people have died of the virus.

Government officials struck deals with five hotels in Tokyo that offers about 2,800 rooms for coronavirus patients – 200 are currently in use.

The move is to elevate the burden on medical workers in hospitals and provide beds for those with severe symptoms.

Kan Kiyota, marketing director of SoftBank, which makes the Pepper robot, said: ‘Since patients are infected with COVID-19, it is not possible to have a real person to interact with.’

Kan Kiyota, marketing director of SoftBank, which makes the Pepper robot, said: ‘Since patients are infected with COVID-19, it is not possible to have a real person to interact with

The hotel is also trialing a robot cleaner, named Whiz, which will operate in the lobby without human assistance (left)

The hotel is also trialing a robot cleaner, named Whiz, which will operate in the lobby without human assistance (left)

‘This is where the robot comes in.’

Pepper is being used to ‘cheer’ patients on as they enter the hotel to begin their quarantine.

The machine is wearing a protect face mask and interacts with humans as they walk in.

It says, ‘We are all supporting you’ and ‘I am cheering for you! Please get lots of rest while you are here and recover!’

But the approximately four-foot tall robot is also there to administer reminders including ‘Please do not bring alcohol into the building’ and ‘The fastest way to recover is to eat a balanced meal, rather than your favorite dishes.’

The hotel is also trialing a robot cleaner, named Whiz, which will operate in the lobby without human assistance.

The coronavirus started in Wuhan, China December 2019 and has since spread to nearly every country around the world. As of Monday, there are more than 3.5 million cases and over 247,000 deaths

The coronavirus started in Wuhan, China December 2019 and has since spread to nearly every country around the world. As of Monday, there are more than 3.5 million cases and over 247,000 deaths

Guests can also access health management applications on computers and tablets to record their temperatures and symptoms.

The hotels are also staffed by doctors and nurses, but officials hope the robots can cheer up an otherwise lonely time for guests who are isolated in single rooms for their weeks-long stay.

The coronavirus started in Wuhan, China December 2019 and has since spread to nearly every country around the world.

As of Monday, there are more than 3.5 million cases and over 247,000 deaths.