Panasonic Robot To Take Jobs At Japan Airport

Don’t be surprised when you visit a Japanese Airport: Panasonic currently tests its HOSPI(R) Autonomous Delivery Robot by giving it temporary jobs at the Narita International Airport and the ANA Crowne Plaza Narita. Panasonic’s demonstration experiments will begin from mid-January 2017.

HOSPI(R) is a robot that can deliver goods autonomously on behalf of humans. Based on preprogrammed map information and using high performance sensors and advanced collision-avoidance algorithm, the robot can move about while staying aware of its surroundings, enabling it to deliver items safely and efficiently without colliding into passersby or various objects along its route.

Panasonic robots to take jobs at airport and hotel in Japan

Unlike traditional delivery systems, equipment does not need to be embedded into the walls or ceilings, and guide tapes do not have to be laid down along the route, so delivery destinations and layout changes to facilities may be easily made and at low cost. Being recognized for these features, the HOSPI(R) has already been adopted by 4 hospitals in Japan and other countries for the delivery of pharmaceuticals and specimens.

In the demonstration experiments to be conducted, the robot will move around the lobby at ANA Crowne Plaza Narita, offering bottled beverages to hotel guests. It will also provide information about bus departures. At “Narita Travel Lounge” (Narita International Airport) the robot will retrieve used dishware and deliver them to the relevant counter.

[bctt tweet=”In Japan, Panasonic robots will offer bottled beverages to hotel guests and retrieve used dishware” username=”petervonstamm”]

Through these demonstration experiments, Panasonic will be verifying the utility of the HOSPI(R) in performing other types of delivery services and accelerating the commercial development of the HOSPI(R). At the moment, there are no plans to introduce the HOSPI(R) to the Narita International Airport and the ANA Crowne Plaza Narita more permanently…