Glasgow Airport have launched the UK’s first «humanoid robot airport ambassador». The robot is called ‘GLAdys’ – a play on the airport’s GLA IATA code – and she is stationed in the airport’s departures area with a job description of providing entertainment for passengers of all ages.
One of GLAdys’ skills is singing and dancing, and as we are in the middle of the festive period it seems only right that she can perform three Christmas songs – namely Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rocking around the Christmas Tree and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.
Ambassador Brian Thomson said:
«My new colleague GLAdys is for entertainment really so far. She’s going to be here air-side so when kids come through the airport it will be a bit of fun for them. Just now she’s the only one but who knows, in years to come maybe there will be more to interact with passengers and maybe even help them with check-in.
«People can come in a bit stressed, maybe not knowing what desk they are to go to, so maybe the likes of GLAdys could help guide them through to where they are going on holiday.»
GLAdys also comes with her own selfie camera so passengers can stop by for a snap which can then be emailed off to them or Tweeted out on the airport’s Twitter profile.
Glasgow Airport Operations Director Mark Johnston 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.»
