Robots at reception: South African hotel turns to machines to beat pandemic

AI-powered robot Ariel delivers room service to a guest at the Hotel Sky, the first in Africa to use automated attendants, in Johannesburg, South Africa, February 9, 2021. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Staff at Hotel Sky in Johannesburg's wealthy Sandton district adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols, wearing masks and physically distancing from guests as much as possible; all, that is, except Lexi, Micah and Ariel.

For the three concierges couldn't breathe germs on you even if they wanted to: they're robots.