Robotics & Automation News

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airport

ThyssenKrupp to provide 155 lifts and 22 escalators to Beijing airport base

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As the sole lift supplier to China Southern Airlines’ new Beijing airport base, Thyssenkrupp Elevator is to deliver 155 elevators and 22 escalators to Beijing Daxing Airport, which is currently under construction.

China Southern Airlines has moved to the new mega airport in the south of Beijing as part of its ‘two-hub’ strategy, alongside its current Guangzhou base.

The plans for the airport facilities were designed by architect Sir Norman Foster, while the hexagonal main terminal was designed by Zara Hadid Architects. At approximately 7.5 million sq. feet, it will be the largest terminal in the world.

[Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp to provide 155 lifts and 22 escalators to Beijing airport base

ANA and Panasonic partner to test self-driving electric wheelchairs at Narita Airport

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Japan’s largest airline All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Panasonic Corporation are to work together to test self-driving electric wheelchairs, as part of a plan to increase mobility and accessibility at Tokyo Narita International Airport.

Incorporating robotic elements, these wheelchairs will be capable to safely navigate through the airport independently, making them an ideal mobility solution for passengers connecting flights.

Since Narita Airport is an international hub, many travellers must walk a long distance to reach their connecting flights.

[Read more…] about ANA and Panasonic partner to test self-driving electric wheelchairs at Narita Airport

‘Snow-how’: Finns develop autonomous snow removal vehicles

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Robotic vacuum cleaners and lawnmowers are already reality, but can the same idea be applied to a 7-ton machine clearing snow from an airstrip?

To show it can, Valtra and Nokian Tyres partnered up with three other Finnish companies in March 2019 for a joint proof-of-concept project at the European Union’s northernmost airport.

Two Valtra T254 Versu equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI tyres and each pulling a 4.5 m wide sweeper blower autonomously cleared the runway at Ivalo airport in Finnish Lapland.

[Read more…] about ‘Snow-how’: Finns develop autonomous snow removal vehicles

ThyssenKrupp provides automated mobility systems for new arrivals at Accra airport

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ThyssenKrupp, in partnership with its local distributor ARG1 Africa, is supplying airport mobility to Accra, Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport Terminal 3, including seven passenger boarding bridges, three escalators, 16 lifts, and over 40 auxiliary equipment units.

The company has previously supplied solutions at airports across Africa, including in Algeria, Cameroon, South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, to name a few.

According to the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, the number of international airline operations at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has increased from 35 to 38 and between 2016 and 2017, Accra had a 14 percent increase in passenger traffic.

[Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp provides automated mobility systems for new arrivals at Accra airport

South Korea’s largest airport has hired robots made by LG to assist travellers

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lg electronics robot for airports small
The LG Airport Guide Robot

South Korea’s largest airport – Incheon International Airport, in Seoul – has given jobs to a number of robots made by LG Electronics. 

The mobile machines are designed to enable travellers to scan their tickets to get flight information and they can escort them to the flight gates.

Alternatively it can just provide directions to locations within the airport, complete with walking distances and times, or information about the traveller’s eventual destination, such as weather and other details.  [Read more…] about South Korea’s largest airport has hired robots made by LG to assist travellers

Sita Lab launches mobile robotic kiosk for airports

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Sita Lab, a provider of air travel technology, has launched Kate, a mobile robot which the company says is an intelligent check-in kiosk that will autonomously move to busy or congested areas in the airport as needed. 

Using various data sources – including flight and passenger flow information – Kate can identify where additional check-in kiosks are required to reduce passenger queue times at check-in.

Kate, which was developed in partnership with BlueBotics, uses existing Sita data systems such as Day of Operations Business Intelligence and FlightInfo API.  [Read more…] about Sita Lab launches mobile robotic kiosk for airports

Hitachi puts robots on trial at Japan airport

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hitachi emiew haneda airport japan

Hitachi, and its subsidiary Hitachi Building Systems, have begun a trial of their “Emiew 3” humanoid robot at Haneda Airport, in Japan. 

The robot, developed by Hitachi, looks a little bit like the Nao robot, in its red colouring and dimensions.

The tests will be conducted at Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal 2 (Domestic Flights) in collaboration with Japan Airport Terminal.  [Read more…] about Hitachi puts robots on trial at Japan airport

Tokyo airport employs Cyberdyne cleaning robots

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cyberdyne robots tokyo airport

Tokyo International Airport’s International Passenger Terminal is employing a cleaning robot made by Cyberdyne. 

Following its implementation in the Domestic Terminal, the Cleaning Robot will expand its operation into the International Terminal, which is also open 24 hours a day.

This is a joint-project of Cyberdyne and Japan Airport Terminal Company, and with the cooperation of Tokyo International Airport (also known as Haneda Airport).

Verification tests for the Cleaning Robot are being conducted at the International Passenger Terminal for 2 weeks, a time frame which is due to end soon.  [Read more…] about Tokyo airport employs Cyberdyne cleaning robots

Honda to bring out Asimo robot for appearance at Narita airport

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Asimo will be appearing at Narita airport
Asimo will be appearing at Narita airport

Honda plans to conduct demonstrations of Asimo, Honda’s bipedal humanoid robot, at Narita International Airport over a one-week period from Monday, March 28 through Sunday, April 3, 2016.

This will be the first time for any airport in Japan to hold this type of event in the area prior to where travelers begin the immigration process and formal entry into the country.

Honda will showcase its technological strengths by providing Asimo, an outstanding humanoid robot representing Japan, to welcome and offer its hospitality to travellers who just arrived.  [Read more…] about Honda to bring out Asimo robot for appearance at Narita airport

Japan Airlines and Nomura Research trialling Nao robot in customer service role at Haneda Airport

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nao haneda airport
Aldebaran’s Nao robot has found work at Haneda airport, helping JAL customers

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Nomura Research Institute (NRI) are conducting test to improve customer service with a Nao service robot.

The tests will be conducted at JAL’s Information Counter and in front of the security checkpoint at Haneda Airport Passenger Terminal 1.

At the information counter, a service robot will be linked to digital signage to provide customers with information on their flight and aircraft, and tourist sites and weather information at the destination through conversation. [Read more…] about Japan Airlines and Nomura Research trialling Nao robot in customer service role at Haneda Airport