Mario, the robot receptionist, speaks 19 languages and dances to Michael Jackson

"Front-facing robots play an important role in data gathering, and can then make connections. For instance, they can store a query and intelligently offer relevant information to a guest in future," says Pemberton. Crucially, such data can be amassed in a centralized location and delivered on demand locally, so the preferences of a guest staying in a hotel in Miami will be captured and reapplied when she checks into a hotel belonging to the same chain in say, London.