Passengers at Munich Airport’s Terminal 2 may notice service robots as part of a new initiative aimed at boosting operational efficiency. The airport has partnered with the Lufthansa Innovation Hub to integrate these robots as part of a broader program to enhance airport operations and support tech startups in testing their solutions.
The collaboration, announced by the Lufthansa Innovation Hub, aims to improve operations while offering startups a platform for trialing their technologies. The two parties have formalized their partnership with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
A key component of this partnership is the deployment of service robots provided by the startup Ottonomy. These robots, known as Ottobots, are stationed in gate areas and baggage reclaim zones. They assist passengers by providing information and promoting Lufthansa’s services. Ritukar Vijay, Ottonomy’s CEO, states: “Our robots, powered by Contextual AI, are enabling enterprise customers to drive innovation, delivering better customer experiences and operational efficiencies in the aviation industry. A partnership with forward-thinking industry leaders like Lufthansa brings this vision even closer to reality.”
The Ottobots facilitate intuitive interactions with travelers by allowing passengers to scan a QR code on the side of the robot, directing them to Lufthansa’s chat assistant for self-service options. This feature provides information on flights, travel disruptions, rebooking options, and more. The robots also offer directions to lost and found services and are expected to distribute items like bottled water in the future.
Munich Airport’s collaboration with the Lufthansa Innovation Hub represents just one of many projects aimed at digitalizing, automating, and optimizing airport services. Additionally, Ottonomy’s robots are used in other settings, including hospitals and last-mile delivery services worldwide, highlighting the versatility of these four-wheeled service providers.
Munich Airport’s Terminal 2, which serves as Lufthansa’s base, plays a pivotal role in the airline’s operations. Lufthansa’s top routes from Munich include Frankfurt, Hamburg, and London Heathrow, with thousands of seats offered on these popular routes.
