New Technology in the Hotel Industry: In-Room Hotel Phones Go AI

By replacing traditional wired phone systems with 'AI Capi,' a 24-hour AI staff member handles front desk inquiries.

Guests can speak to an AI avatar to obtain information about nearby facilities and hotel amenities. Voice calls to the front desk are also possible via tablet.

AI Move Japan Inc. (Tokyo Office: 4F Furuyama Building, 3-7-9 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Shinichiro Iida) has developed an AI communication service for hotels called 'AI Capi,' which was first introduced on July 14, 2026, at APA Hotel Akita Senshu Koen.

AI Capi is a new hotel communication service combining AI with Wi-Fi-connected tablets installed in guest rooms.

While maintaining the role of traditional in-room phones, it enables natural conversations with AI and multilingual support. Guests can access hotel services, facility guides, and local tourism information anytime, as if an AI staff member were present in their room.

For hotels, this improves inquiry handling efficiency and reduces staff workload. For guests, it enables a more comfortable and stress-free stay.

The system can be quickly introduced into operating hotels without major wiring work or high costs.

Development Background

In the hospitality industry, there is growing demand to deliver higher-quality service with limited staff due to labor shortages and increasing inbound tourism.

Meanwhile, in-room phones have seen little evolution beyond their basic function of calling the front desk. They lack multilingual support and AI-powered automated guidance, making them insufficient for current guest needs.

Additionally, the high cost of repairing outdated internal phone systems became apparent, prompting the development of AI Capi as a next-generation solution.

By leveraging AI technology, the company aims to upgrade the very nature of communication between people and hotels, establishing a new standard for accommodation facilities.

Intuitive and easy-to-use interface with multilingual support.

24-Hour AI Support for Guests

With AI Capi, guests can make direct voice calls to the front desk via tablet, or use chat and voice conversations with AI to access 24/7 information on:

- In-house facilities - Hotel services - Check-out instructions - Nearby restaurants - Tourist information - Transportation guidance

By having AI handle initial inquiries, hotel staff can maintain service quality while reducing workload, helping address staffing shortages.

In addition to Japanese, the system supports English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, French, and other languages, facilitating smooth communication with the growing number of international visitors to Japan.

In-Room Installation Concept

An AI staff member provides conversational support within the tablet interface.

Significant Reduction in Initial and Renovation Costs

Utilizes Existing Wi-Fi, No Major Wiring Required

AI Capi operates using the hotel’s existing Wi-Fi infrastructure, eliminating the need for PBX systems, MDF/IDF communication equipment, or large-scale wiring work typically required for traditional in-room phone systems.

This significantly reduces initial setup and equipment renewal costs. The system can be deployed quickly while the hotel remains operational, making it easy to adopt even in active hotels.

Key Features of AI Capi

- In-room communication via Wi-Fi-connected tablets - Direct voice calls to the front desk - Chat and voice conversations with generative AI – 24/7 AI concierge with multilingual support (English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, French, etc.) - AI-guided information on hotel facilities, services, and local attractions – reduces staff workload through efficient inquiry handling - Enhances guest satisfaction - Next-generation communication system replacing traditional in-room phones

First Implementation

AI Capi was first introduced on July 14, 2026, at APA Hotel Akita Senshu Koen.

The company is evaluating guest convenience and staff usability in a real hotel operation environment, aiming for further service improvements. Going forward, it plans to expand beyond hotels into other sectors, building a new AI-powered communication infrastructure.

Offices

Medical service counters

Car dealerships

Other facilities

CEO Shinichiro Iida's Comment

In-room phones in hotels have remained largely unchanged for many years.

AI Capi transforms these in-room phones into an 'AI-conversational front desk in the guest room' and a 'permanently stationed AI staff member in the room.'

We believe AI should not replace humans, but support them—enabling hotel staff to focus on the hospitality they truly excel at.

Through AI Capi, we aim to provide guests with a safer, more comfortable stay and hotels with more efficient, high-quality operations, creating a new standard not only for Japan’s hospitality industry but for various sectors.

For More Information or Consultation

For detailed information or inquiries, please visit https://www.ai-capi.com/ or contact the information desk above.