Robotic barman serves beer at Selfridges

Written by Harpers Editorial team

Thursday, 19 June 2008

The Robotic barman - known as Mr Asahi - can serve ice-cold beer as draught pints, half pints and de-cap bottles of beer.

Asahi, who has been constructed using the technology from the fields of robotics and animatronics and is controlled via a PC, has undergone six months training ahead of appearing at Selfridges, which will be his first official role before embarking on a national tour.

He remains calm under pressure, serves with a smile and can answer customer queries.

But more importantly, Asahi can serve the beer in just two minutes, saving the average customer 13 minutes at the bar.

Asahi UK Brand Manager Christian Hamilton says: "Having employed Mr Asahi and seen him at work I'm sure he'll be a great asset to the Asahi team.

"We were looking for a way to sample our beer as we go on our first national tour and we think that Mr Asahi will certainly attract a great deal of attention in bars, clubs and multiple grocers."

Asahi will be in Selfridges, Oxford Street from July 2 before heading to Selfridges in Manchester on July 10.

He then goes on tour and will be appearing in multiple grocers, bars and clubs throughout the country including at:
Nottingham (July 18)
Edinburgh (July 24)
Glasgow (July 25)
Newcastle (August 1)
Selfridges Birmingham (September 6)
Leeds (September 10)
Birmingham (September 18)