Glasgow Airport introduces robot ambassador which takes selfies

Glasgow Airport has introduced a humanoid robot ambassador called GLAdys – which can take selfies. ‘GLAdys’ will be singing and dancing to Christmas songs and telling festive tales over the holiday season. The robot, whose name is derived from Glasgow’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) code, will be based in the main departures area and has … Continue reading Glasgow Airport introduces robot ambassador which takes selfies

Glasgow Airport has introduced a humanoid robot ambassador called GLAdys – which can take selfies.

‘GLAdys’ will be singing and dancing to Christmas songs and telling festive tales over the holiday season.

The robot, whose name is derived from Glasgow’s International Air Transport Association (IATA) code, will be based in the main departures area and has been programmed to entertain passengers as they pass through the airport.

The unveiling of GLAdys is part of Glasgow Airport’s Digital Passenger Experience Project, introduced to explore how customer engagement and communication can be enhanced through digital technology.

GLAdys will be “escorted” by the airport’s ambassador team and the airport says it is the first in the UK to introduce a robot ambassador.

It has been programmed to sing three Christmas songs – Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rocking around the Christmas Tree and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

And GLAdys will also tell three festive tales – Twas the Night before Christmas, When Santa Claus Comes and Santa’s Workshop.

Passengers can pose for pictures with GLAdys, which has a hand-mounted selfie camera with photos able to be sent to the subject’s email address or used on the airport’s social media channels with the hashtag #GLAdysRobot.

Mark Johnston, operations director at Glasgow Airport, said: “We are always looking for new and innovative ways in which we can further enhance customer experience at Glasgow and believe the introduction of GLAdys to be a first for a UK airport.

“Last year we launched our virtual assistant, affectionately dubbed ‘Holly the Hologram’, at various points across the airport and she has since proved extremely popular with our passengers.

“GLAdys will be a fantastic addition to the terminal team and will prove to be an extremely popular feature with passengers commuting through the airport. She’s sure to be a firm favourite with our younger passengers this month thanks to her repertoire of festive songs and stories.”