Munich Airport has two new robot pilot projects as part of its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lufthansa Innovation Hub (LIH).
The AI-powered robots, developed by Ottonomy, were deployed earlier this week in Munich Airport Terminal 2. The project is an initiative from Startup Gate, the venture clienting arm of Lufthansa Group. Operating autonomously, they have been performing a range of tasks interacting with passengers including assisting passengers and promoting the services of Lufthansa Airlines.
For example, passengers can use their phones to scan a QR code on the robot, which takes them to Lufthansa’s chat assistant for self-service support. Through this platform, they can find flight details and handle tasks like rebooking or applying for refunds. The robots also offer helpful information about airport services, including tax refunds and lost and found, improving the overall travel experience.
The MoU between Munich Airport and LIH signals a commitment between the pair to drive innovation through joint initiatives. It focuses on three key objectives:
- Identifying pain points of the aviation industry related, but not limited to efficiency, operational stability, passenger experience, and sustainability;
- Ideating and developing pilots with innovative startups, including LIH ventures, and conducting them at Munich Airport Terminal 2; and
- Facilitating knowledge exchange and other collaborative opportunities such as sharing of best practices, methods and tools.
Speaking on the partnership, Matthias Langbehn, Managing Director of Terminal 2 Company said:
“In a world that is changing ever faster, we need to rely on competent partners who help us broaden our views on innovation and find solutions to further enthral our guests. Lufthansa Innovation Hub is the ideal partner to continue our success story.”
Terminal 2 is Europe’s first five-star terminal, and this robotics pilot and innovation-focused MoU illustrates the importance of embracing collaboration as the industry strives to set a new standard of efficiency and customer service.
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