Now that's a pilot scheme! New Zealand's Auckland Airport road tests a VERY realistic avatar to help tourists
- The artificial intelligence facility is designed to help holidaymakers and staff
- 'Virtual Assistant Interface' answers questions on directions and airport security
- If successful, it could be introduced elsewhere across New Zealand's airports
It is one of the country's busiest transport hubs.
And to help with the constant stream of passengers, bosses at New Zealand's Auckland Airport have installed an avatar to assist tourists.
The artificial intelligence facility, dubbed VAI ('Virtual Assistant Interface'), is designed to help both holidaymakers and staff at the site.
The new avatar that has been installed at Auckland Airport in New Zealand to assist tourists
Featuring the presence of woman, the interactive technology answers common bio-security questions and provides directions throughout the arrivals terminal, where it's being piloted.
If successful, it could be introduced elsewhere in the building and, potentially, across New Zealand.
According to FaceMe, the IT company behind the ambitious project, Vai is programmed with a database of frequently asked questions.
It also uses biometrics to recognise human interaction and respond in kind.
The interactive technology answers common bio-security questions and provides directions throughout the arrivals terminal, where it's being piloted
Footage of it in action shows 'Vai' responding to a passenger's question about fruits and cheese being declared at customs. She also provided details about the purpose of a passenger arrival card.
'The idea is for Vai to take some of the load off MPI officers during peak times by assisting staff with answering queries,' MPI detection technology manager Brett Hickman told Computer Weekly.
'This is about using technology to allow officers to focus on their important role of keeping pests and diseases out of New Zealand.
If successful, the technology could be introduced elsewhere in the building and, potentially, across New Zealand
'MPI is always looking for innovative ways, including emerging technologies, to improve the customer experience for arriving passengers and to increase their biosecurity awareness,' he added.
Not that this is the first time artificial intelligence has been used in airports, of course.
Last year, bosses at South Korea's Incheon Airport introduced check-in robots throughout its departures terminal.
The Troika, a self-driving robot made by LG Electronics, was designed to help travelers find their boarding gates and keep the airport's floors clean as the country prepared for its Winter Olympics.
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