Emirates Introduces World’s First Autonomous Robot For Self-Check-Ins
Say you have your passport and bags ready, you’re two hours ahead of the departure time, and you’re ready to begin your vacation. If you’re flying with Emirates, you might meet ‘Sara’, a new robot that will get you checked in for your flight.
In the new travel climate, self-check-in kiosks are becoming increasingly popular in international airports worldwide. Sara is different because she’s an autonomous robot that can roam around the check-in area looking for people who need assistance. She looks a little like C3PO but with a tablet for a face.
Doing business in Dubai, or just staying Downtown? We got you. 🤜ðŸ»ðŸ¤›ðŸ»
— Emirates (@emirates) April 27, 2023
The Emirates City Check-in and Travel Store - featuring the world's first robot check-in assistant - is now open! 🎊 https://t.co/zZJyELG95t pic.twitter.com/IwaMQkKubv
When a passenger is ready, they can hand her their passport, which she will scan and correctly identify before printing out a boarding passe and bag tags, and then bringing them to the appropriate baggage drop-off point.
The rush of the airport can sometimes be stressful, especially when trying to get into immigration, and bots like Sara can ease the load by handling some of the more manageable tasks that people need help with. According to Travel Tomorrow, she is set to add around 30% of her capacity.
Say hi to Sara! 👋🼠The world's first robot check-in assistant is ready to help make your travel journey better at our brand new Emirates City Check-In right in the heart of Dubai.
— Emirates (@emirates) April 28, 2023
Its a space to help make travel a breeze for when you fly with us next. 🛫 pic.twitter.com/QKI2guaOIj
Currently, Sara is set up at the new City Check-In and Travel Store Emirates in Dubai’s ICD Brookfield Place. This new experience allows travelers to book flights and check in themselves and their luggage between four and 24 hours pre-flight. After which, they can roam around the ICD Brookfield Place area and enjoy restaurants, art galleries, stores, and gyms, before making their way down to Dubai International Airport.
Eventually, Sara will grow to take on more responsibilities with artificial intelligence integration, such as helping book hotel rooms and dealing with visa and immigration status.
[via Travel Tomorrow and Simple Flying, cover image via Emirates]
