TOKYO, Jan 31 — Meet Sawyer the robot.

While he’s not good at small talk-he can brew a mean cup a’ joe…and he’s the new barista at Japan’s first robot café—where everything’s automated.

Customers at "Henn-na Café,” meaning "Strange Café” in Japanese, have to scan a QR code bought from a vending machine — in order to buy a US$3 (RM11.70) coffee.

Unlike his human counterparts —”Sawyer” is programmed to be more productive — serving a maximum of five cups of coffee at a time. — Reuters

"By running the cafe with fewer manpower, we can increase productivity and serve delicious coffee at a reasonable price,” general manager of corporate planning department for HIS Co ltd, Masataka Tamaki said.

The robot café follows a trend to solve labour shortages in a rapidly ageing Japanese society.

The concept of using robots is not new in Tokyo — robots help check guests in and clean the lobby at THIS hotel, which has become a famous tourist attraction.

Sawyer will make his debut tomorrow when Strange Café opens its doors to the public. — Reuters

A man scans a QR code printed on a ticket used to order a coffee from the robot barista called ‘Sawyer’ during its demonstration at ‘Henn-na Cafe,’ in Tokyo January 30, 2018. — Reuters pic