Directions, luggage delivery, tasty food. Those are some of the things we've seen robots offering at the media center of Beijing Winter Olympics. And most of the robots we've seen here aren't made to look human. Instead, they present a wide range of looks.
Two of the most advanced robots regularly operate in crowded space. One greets visitors, answers questions and offers to guide people through the crowds. Another one cleans the carpeted hallways of the main press center. 'k speaks to passersby in a woman's voice. It seems to be speaking English. But we carnet make it out well, because it also plays joyful music while its two front brushes are clearing dust and dirt like a futuristic street-sweeper.
Don't assume these robots work all hours just because they're robots. They have carefully managed schedules. For example, the snack robots just go around the media center for about 15 minutes every hour-usually only between noon and 17:00.
Another kind of robots helps out with logistics（物流） at the media center. These robots can carry up to 300 kilograms of goods, move freely along the relatively empty halls and automatically recharge themselves. They send unique codes through text messages to the receivers when the delivery has arrived. Then they can pick up the goods with the codes.
There are even COVID-fighting robots, which move around pre-programmed areas spreading chemicals. Food ordering, making and serving in the dining room are fully auto magical too. Reporters from around the world can enjoy various food options here.
In short, robots are expected to play an outstanding role in the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. But the most important goal is to reduce direct contact(接触)between people.
