{
  "id": 6959153,
  "title": "Kochi airport launches robot for enhanced passenger assistance and cultural promotion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/kochi-airport-launches-robot-for-enhanced-passenger-assistance-and",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-12T16:52:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kochi-airport-launches-robot-for-enhanced-passenger-assistance-and-cultural-promotion/article71459300.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) has launched a robotic assistance system to improve passenger services and promote Kerala's cultural heritage. The initiative began with the deployment of a passenger assistance robot at Kalangan, an art museum in the domestic security hold area. The robot, developed by Pune-based Kinetics Robotics, was inaugurated by CIAL managing director S. Suhas. It offers various services like welcome greetings, direction guidance, real-time flight information, and assistance with travel-related queries such as CIAL services, flight schedules, and gate numbers. Additionally, it promotes Kerala's cultural heritage by providing information on traditional art forms like Kathakali and Ottanthullal, as well as artifacts displayed at Kalangan.\n\nCIAL plans to deploy passenger assistance robots in check-in halls in the next phase. The operator is also considering introducing delivery robots that can bring food and other products directly to passengers inside the terminal. CIAL executive director Santhosh Poovattil, head of commercial Manoj P. Joseph, and Kinetics Robotics representative Jignesh Nair attended the inauguration. The airport is working towards enhancing the passenger experience while showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Kerala.",
  "summary": "In the first phase, the robot has been deployed at Kalangan, the art museum located in the domestic security hold area",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}