A COFFEE MAKING ROBOT IN JAPAN AND IT'S PRETTY COOL

Japan has a new robot cafe where customers can enjoy coffee brewed and served by a robot barista. The robot, named Sawyer, brews away at Henna Cafe in Tokyo's downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. The shop's name is Japanese means "Strange Cafe."

Sawyer only has one arm that scans a ticket purchased from a vending machine and greets the customer. "would you care for a delicious coffee?" asks the robot in a flat tone with a screen showing a pair of cartoon eyes. "I can make one better than human beings around here."

It grinds the coffee beans, fills a filter and pours hot water over a paper cup for up to five people at once. A cup of brewed coffee costs 320 yen ($3) and takes a few minutes. The single-armed robot can also operate an automated machine for six other hot drinks including cappuccino, hot chocolate and green tea latte.

The cafe operator, travel agency H.I.S Co., says robots can increase productivity while also entertaining customers.
"An essential point is to increase productivity," said Masataka Tamaki, general manager of corporate planning at H.I.S. He said only one person needs to oversee the robot cafe, compared to several people needed at a regular coffee shop, so it can serve better quality coffee at a reasonable price.

Tamaki also said it is not just about efficiency. "We want the robot to entertain customers so it's not like buying coffee at a vending machine," he added.