There’s a new high-tech hotel in China that is a showcase for the potential of technology in the hospitality world.
The 290-room FlyZoo Hotel in Hangzhou, China was created by Alibaba’s online travel platform, Fliggy, and Alibaba Group business units, including Alibaba A.I. Labs. The novelty begins the moment rooms are booked on the FlyZoo mobile app, which allows for the choosing of floor and the direction the room faces. Chinese travelers can check in via the app and go straight to their rooms; for now, foreign passport holders need to stop at a kiosk to have their photos taken and enable the facial recognition that lets their face serve as a key and ID for everything from using the elevator to entering their room.
Inside the room, a Tmall Genie smart assistant invites guests to adjust the temperature, lights, curtains and the TV via voice command. Tmall genie can also play music and answer simple questions. Guests also can ask the Tmall genie for extras such as fresh water for the room, new pillows, or a room service meal, which is delivered by an Alibaba-made robot. There are also fun tech-enhanced gym workouts and when it’s time to go, guests just pack, leave.
“As smart technology is reshaping industries, the FlyZoo Hotel represents Alibaba’s endeavor to marry hospitality with technology, and ultimately inspire and empower the tourism industry to embrace innovation,” said Andy Wang, CEO of Alibaba Future Hotel. “Our use of intelligent facilities coupled with digital management and operational systems means that hotel employees can focus on providing guests with a level of service that goes the extra mile.”
