Robot makes coffee at new cafe in Japan's capital

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Robot makes coffee at new cafe in Japan's capital

2018-02-03 11:26 Last Updated At：11:26

Japan has a new cafe where customers can enjoy coffee brewed and served by a robot barista.

The robot named Sawyer debuted this week at Henna Cafe in Tokyo's downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. The shop's name in Japanese means "strange cafe."

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Robot barista named "Sawyer" makes a coffee at Henn-na Cafe, meaning "Strange Cafe" in Japanese, in Tokyo, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The cafe's robot barista brews and serves coffee as the rapidly aging country seeks to adapt to shrinking workforce. The arm robot "Sawyer" debuted this week in Tokyo‘s downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Robot barista named "Sawyer" makes a coffee at Henn-na Cafe, Japanese meaning "Strange Cafe"in Tokyo, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The cafe's robot barista brews and serves coffee as the rapidly aging country seeks to adapt to shrinking workforce. The arm robot "Sawyer" debuted this week in Tokyo‘s downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Robot barista named "Sawyer" makes a coffee at Henn-na Cafe, meaning "Strange Cafe" in Japanese, in Tokyo, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The cafe's robot barista brews and serves coffee as the rapidly aging country seeks to adapt to shrinking workforce. The arm robot "Sawyer" debuted this week in Tokyo‘s downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

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Robot barista named "Sawyer" makes a coffee at Henn-na Cafe, meaning "Strange Cafe" in Japanese, in Tokyo, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The cafe's robot barista brews and serves coffee as the rapidly aging country seeks to adapt to shrinking workforce. The arm robot "Sawyer" debuted this week in Tokyo‘s downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Robot barista named "Sawyer" makes a coffee at Henn-na Cafe, Japanese meaning "Strange Cafe"in Tokyo, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The cafe's robot barista brews and serves coffee as the rapidly aging country seeks to adapt to shrinking workforce. The arm robot "Sawyer" debuted this week in Tokyo‘s downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

Robot barista named "Sawyer" makes a coffee at Henn-na Cafe, meaning "Strange Cafe" in Japanese, in Tokyo, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The cafe's robot barista brews and serves coffee as the rapidly aging country seeks to adapt to shrinking workforce. The arm robot "Sawyer" debuted this week in Tokyo‘s downtown business and shopping district of Shibuya. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

The single-armed robot scans a ticket purchased from a vending machine and greets the customer.

"Would you care for a delicious coffee?" the barista, with a screen showing a pair of cartoon eyes, asks in a flat tone. "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.

Sawyer can also operate an automated machine for six other hot drinks including cappuccino, hot chocolate and green tea latte.

Customers, many of them young men, took photos with their smartphones while they waited in line.

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

Takeshi Yamamoto, a 68-year-old restaurant employee who works in the neighborhood, said his first experience with the robot cafe was very enjoyable, and his robot-made coffee was delicious.

"It's quite rich, and tastes very good," Yamamoto said, as he took a sip. "You can get machine-made coffee at convenience stores, too, and it's actually good. But here, I had great fun."

Wilmer Flores hits a walk-off single and Giants sweep Mariners with 5-4 win to continue hot start

2025-04-07 08:14 Last Updated At：08:21

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Wilmer Flores hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the Seattle Mariners 5-4 on Sunday to sweep the three-game series.

Mike Yastrzemski hit a three-run homer for the Giants, who are 8-1 and off to their best start since 2003.

Randy Arozarena tied it at 4 for the Mariners in the ninth with an RBI double after Seattle was down to its last strike against Giants closer Camilo Doval (1-0).

But Flores singled in Luis Matos with two outs on the first pitch he saw from Gregory Santos (0-2) to win it for the Giants.

Flores' hit came just after Mariners right fielder Victor Robles made a long dash for a terrific catch in the netting in foul territory by going over the low railing to snag a fly ball by Patrick Bailey. Robles injured his left shoulder on the play and was carted off the field. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Robles was having tests done on his shoulder at Oracle Park.

San Francisco challenged the call that it was a catch by Robles, but it was upheld.

The Giants scored four times in the fourth after trailing 2-0, capped by Yastrzemski's opposite-field homer.

Julio Rodríguez and Cal Raleigh hit solo homers to put Seattle up 2-0.

Giants starter Jordan Hicks allowed three runs in 5.1 innings. Seattle's Bryan Woo gave up four runs in six innings.

Doval escaped a bases-loaded jam after blowing the save in the ninth, getting Mitch Garver to pop out to keep the game tied.

Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee had two hits to extend his hitting streak to seven games. He has reached base safely in all eight games he’s played.

Mariners: Return home for a three-game series against the Astros with RHP Logan Gilbert (0-1, 3.00 ERA) on the mound. RHP Hayden Wesneski (0-1, 5.40 ERA) will start for Houston.

Giants: Begin a three-game set against Cincinnati at home Monday with RHP Logan Webb (1-0, 3.00 ERA) starting opposite RHP Hunter Greene (0-1, 2.25 ERA) for the Reds.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB