Kochi airport deploys robot for passenger assistance

Cochin International Airport Limited has introduced a passenger assistance robot at its Kochi airport, providing travelers with real-time flight updates, directions to boarding gates, and insights into Kerala's traditional arts. The robot first began operations at the Kalangan, an art museum located within the Domestic Security Hold Area, marking the initial phase of a broader plan to incorporate robotic assistance throughout the airport.

CIAL's Managing Director, S. Suhas, officially launched the service, which aims to equip passengers with travel information as they navigate the terminal. Passengers can communicate with the robot to check flight schedules, gate numbers, and CIAL services, receive guidance to boarding gates, and explore the museum's exhibits. The robot is designed to offer directions to boarding gates and other airport facilities, enabling travelers to locate destinations without depending solely on static signs or information counters.

CIAL has also assigned a cultural role to the robot, enabling it to explain Kerala's art forms, such as Kathakali and Ottanthullal, and provide information about sculptures and artworks displayed in the museum. The robot can guide passengers to relevant exhibits, linking travel assistance with the airport's cultural displays. CIAL plans to deploy passenger assistance robots in check-in halls during the next phase of the program.

Pune-based Kinetics Robotics created the passenger assistance robot for CIAL. The project is part of CIAL's larger digital upgrade, known as CIAL 2.0, which includes enhancing operational systems, artificial intelligence, automation, and cybersecurity. The passenger assistance robot enhances CIAL's digital transformation initiative by introducing a visible, interactive service inside the terminal, moving automation beyond the background.

Passengers primarily benefit from the robot's ability to provide immediate access to frequently asked information, such as flight updates and gate directions, which can change during a journey. The robot's deployment in the Kalangan area allows CIAL to test passenger interaction with the technology in a controlled setting before introducing more robots in busier check-in areas.

The cultural information function serves a dual purpose, enabling travelers to request explanations of traditional performances and displayed works while using the robot primarily for airport queries. CIAL aims to improve passenger convenience while highlighting Kerala's cultural heritage through this combination of services. The current deployment is limited to the domestic security hold area, and CIAL has not disclosed the number of additional passenger assistance robots slated for the next stage or the technical specifics like supported languages, operating hours, mobility range, or future functions.

The move aligns with airports' growing use of self-service and automated systems for routine passenger interactions, such as check-in, baggage processing, navigation, and information delivery. In Kochi, the next expansion will involve moving the assistance robots from the museum setting to check-in halls, where passenger volumes and query ranges are expected to be higher.