The article discusses the development of a robot barista that can make coffee and is expected to start asking for tips by 2024. The robot, created by a company called Cafe X, is designed to automate the process of making and serving coffee drinks. It can grind beans, brew coffee, steam milk, and even add toppings like whipped cream or chocolate shavings. The robot barista is already in use at several locations in the United States, including San Francisco and San Jose. While the robot can currently make drinks for free, the company plans to introduce a tipping feature by 2024, allowing customers to leave a tip for the robot’s services. The article explores the potential implications of this development, including the impact on human baristas and the broader trend of automation in the service industry. It also raises questions about the ethics of tipping robots and whether customers will be willing to do so.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/robot-barista-makes-coffee-but-wants-tip-2024-3