Gold-medal performers: The Olympic robots of Beijing

A robotic cleaning machine operates at the Main Media Centre on Feb 3, 2022, in Beijing, China. — Getty Images/TNS

China’s zero-Covid policy has led to all kinds of brainstorming about how to limit transmission of the coronavirus. Among the solutions: Robots!

Replacing a human service provider with a mechanical one, the theory goes, reduces virus-spreading contact among humans. Robots are everywhere at the Olympics, in all shapes, sizes and varieties. At our hotel, a tallish white one with multiple arms plies the hallways, emitting mist. Another kind brings room service orders.