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The special place that reminds us why human connections are better than AI.
Eight new trips designed for families in search of adventure
Intrepid's new Premium Family trips are the kind you'll reminisce about for years to come. The eight new trips across Borneo, Morocco, India, Costa Rica, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand and Egypt put small groups of families in the hands of Intrepid's most experienced local guides — with feature stays, cultural immersion, and kid-focused activities woven throughout. Stay in an overwater villa in Borneo and plant coral with your kids. Spend a night at a desert camp in Morocco under live Gnaoua music. See the Taj Mahal at sunrise as a family. Intrepid handles all the logistics so you can stay present for the moments that matter, while travelling in small groups of three to five like-minded families.
Where Technology and Inclusion Meet 🤖
If technology isn't used to help human beings have a better quality of life, then... is it even worth having?
OrlyLab understands the importance of easing the sense of loneliness in human beings and decided to do something about it. That's how Dawn Avatar Robot Café was born.
A café in Kyoto that makes you forget about artificial intelligence for a moment and pushes you to have conversations with real people.
The menu includes sandwiches, pizzas, rice bowls, curry, desserts, and a wide variety of hot and cold drinks. They also have a special kids' menu. But... what makes this café so special? Unlike all the others, here most of the staff doesn't physically work on-site.
Not Just Another Café ☕️
Dawn is designed so that people with disabilities can work from home while still connecting with others through robots.
These people operate the robots — from their homes or even from their hospital beds — that take your order, process it, and serve it to your table.
This setup lets you, as a guest, experience coffee time in a completely different way, while allowing people with disabilities to play an important, active role in society without ever having to leave their homes.
The family trip your kids will still talk about at 30
Intrepid just launched eight new Premium Family trips across Borneo, Morocco, India, Costa Rica and more — small groups, experienced local guides, elevated stays, and immersive cultural experiences designed specifically for families. All the logistics sorted so you can actually enjoy it.
What's the Experience Like? 👩🏽🦼
As you walk into the café, a small robot greets you warmly: "Hello and welcome." Here, you need to purchase an "entry ticket" for the OriHime service area, and only contactless payment is accepted.
Next, you find your table, where you're greeted by a robot operated by a real person. It has a screen at its center, and once you sit down, it introduces itself and chats with you for a bit. It's totally fine to ask questions. It might feel a little strange for adults at first, but the service is so well designed that you quickly adjust to it. Kids, on the other hand, tend to get comfortable with the robots even faster.
The operator takes your order and sends it through. Once it's ready, the screen goes black, and a larger robot arrives with your order. Surprise! It's the same operator, just in a different body. At that point, it lets you know you can grab your food, and then it heads off.
The robot at your table can tell you its story, share a bit about its life, and even suggest dishes and drinks tailored to your preferences. The menu includes vegan options; if you have any allergy restrictions, just be sure to mention them to the operator.
Another amazing detail: even if you don't speak the same language, the robot can translate for you. A feature that elevates the whole experience and service, if you ask me.
Getting up from your table and exploring the café is also part of the design. If you're a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair, you can move around with confidence. There are no steps anywhere inside, and everything is designed so you can move freely.
Pricing and Special Events 🎌
The entry ticket costs 2,000 yen (USD 12.50) for adults and 1,000 yen (USD 6) for children between 4 and 11 years old. Children under 3 don't need to pay for an entry ticket.
Dish prices range from 380 to 1,800 yen (USD 2.37 to 11), before tax. Taxes range from 275 to 500 yen (USD 1.71 to 3) depending on the dish or drink.
Dawn Avatar Robot Café also offers special services for dinners, anniversaries, baristas, and tour operators. All of these services require advance booking, which can be scheduled directly through their official website.
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11 AM to 7 PM.
Address: Japan, 103-0023 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashihoncho, 3 Chome−8−3, 1st floor.
Intrepid Travel's new Premium Family range brings together immersive cultural experiences, feature stays and kid-focused activities across eight destinations — with small groups of three to five families and Intrepid's most experienced guides. Morocco, Borneo, India, Vietnam and more.
See you next time,
