Airport robot REEM, at your service

On your future business trips you are likely to meet REEM, the new airport information robot. It can give directions to the gate for your flight, it will point out the quickest route on an interactive map and it can even carry your bag and take you to your destination.

Airports have shown great interest in this airport robot, that is designed by Spanish firm PAL Robotics. REEM is a human-sized robot that can be deployed at airports as a passenger guide and general information source. REEM talks to travellers in their language, makes jokes and compliments them, shakes hands, helps people to find a place.

The robot is equipped with navigational technology, cameras and sensors. It offers a touchscreen interface on which maps can be displayed or video presentations can be streamed. On its wheels, it can navigate its way around the airport terminal without help from any human. Thanks to its face-recognition software, she can see travellers and track their face, recognise then later, and even take a picture and upload it to Twitter.

REEM weighs 90 kilograms, is 1.7 metres high and can move at four kilometres per hour. Its arms can bear loads weighing up to six kilograms. The robot is planned to be launched in airports by the end of 2014.