Hilton introduces robot concierge
Hilton Worldwide has introduced its newest member of staff – Connie the robotic concierge.
Connie, named after company founder Conrad Hilton, is being touted as the first IBM Watson-enabled robot concierge in the hospitality industry.
The robot has been put to work at the Hilton McLean in Virginia and is programmed to answer queries about local attractions, dining and hotel amenities.
Connie is powered by IBM Watson tech and a cognitive travel recommendation engine by Wayblazer which allows itself to refine its recommendations the more it interacts with guests.
“We’re focused on reimagining the entire travel experience to make it smarter, easier, and more enjoyable for guests,” said Jonathan Wilson, vice president of product innovation and brand services at Hilton Worldwide.
Connie represents ‘an important shift in human-machine interaction,’ according to Rob High, vice president and chief technology officer of IBM Watson.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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