Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International (SJC) has introduced Norma, Amelia and Piper, its new customer service robots.
The robots – the first to be used in a U.S. airport – are helping them find dining, shopping and other services. They also dance, play music and take photos that can be sent to travelers’ email accounts. They are stationed on geo-fence mats by Gates 11, 21 and 25.
HMSHost Corp., Hudson Group and Pacific Gateway Concessions paid $120,000 for the robot program through the concessions marketing fund. Future Robot designed and manufactured the machines, and Silicon Valley company 22 Miles programmed the robots.
”We are proud to be the first-to-market among U.S. airports, and to join other world-class airports in Asia, Canada and Europe, to offer robots as we reimagine the customer experience,” says Kim Becker, director of aviation at SJC. “SJC is accomplishing its mission – to connect, serve, and inspire – with an innovative approach to customer service for our local travelers and global visitors through our successful partnership with our concessionaires Future Robot and 22 Miles.”
