Mercure Uberlândia introduces Otto luggage robot

The Mercure Uberlândia hotel in Brazil has introduced a new autonomous robot named Otto to assist with luggage transport. Otto is designed to carry suitcases and backpacks from the lobby directly to guest rooms, aiming to make the check-in process more agile and efficient.

Otto joins the hotel's existing robotic staff, which includes Alfred, a robot butler introduced in 2024 that delivers meals and orders to guest apartments. According to General Manager Daniela Yuri, the technology is intended to complement the hotel's 250 employees by automating heavy physical labor while keeping human service at the center of the guest experience.

The Otto robot, an S100 model, utilizes artificial intelligence and a digital map of the building to navigate. It is equipped with optical and proximity sensors to detect obstacles and recalculate routes in real time. The unit stands approximately 1.30 meters tall, can carry up to 100 kilograms, and features an 8-hour battery life. For safety, it includes emergency stop buttons and emits sound alerts to notify guests of its movement in common areas.