Delivery Robot Makes Debut at Rome Airport
Ottonomy.IO announces the launch of Ottobot 2.0 at pier A of Terminal 1 at Aeroporti di Roma (ADR). The autonomous delivery project is part of ADR's long-term strategy, aimed at maintaining the highest levels of service and enhancing passengers' experience using cutting edge technology and innovation.
All About CX
"We chose automation as one of our topics for our first call for ideas because we truly believe in enhancing passenger experience with a continuous improvement approach that has led FCO in its path of quality excellence and innovation since 2016," said Emanuele Cala' VP of Innovation & Quality at ADR.
Rome International Airport has partnered with Plug & Play Tech Center, LVenture Group and PWC in the development of "Runway to the future," a program set in ADR Innovation Hub, which is the first industrial incubator inside an airport.
Ottonomy is one of 10 startups selected to take part in the Hub's acceleration program "Runway to the Future," and has been chosen for the cutting-edge innovation it brings to the market with their proprietary indoor & outdoor autonomous robot. A technology that will now be offered to travelers boarding from the new Pier A at Aeroporti Di Roma. Air passengers can scan a QR code to purchase F&B and retail items at the airport and get them delivered right up to the gate in a digital and completely frictionless experience.
"We are actively working with global organizations to implement our autonomous robots, this allows them to become more sustainable," says Ritukar Vijay, CEO of Ottonomy.IO. "We are seeing growing interest in our technology in a variety of industries including travel, retail and hospitality. The launch of Ottobot 2.0 for ADR's acceleration program is another milestone in the adoption of autonomous robots and how they fit into our daily lives."
Ottonomy first introduced "Ottobot" at CVG International Airport in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky in 2021 enabling air passengers to make purchases of food items and get them delivered straight to their boarding gates from the robots.
Robotics on the Rise
Using AI as much as possible to automate mundane or physically difficult tasks, so that staff can focus on the business of true hospitality, and gain real-world experience with cutting-edge technologies, was a theme echoed at MURTEC and in particular the panel, IT Gets Real With AI featuring CKE, Inspire Brands and Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe.
Among the brands testing robotics: QSR Jack in the Box has teamed up with Miso Robotics to begin pilot for Flippy 2 and Sippy product lines. After a successful test, Chipotle is deploying its Robotic Kitchen Assistant to its first location next month. After a successful pilot program, White Castle will add Flippy to 100 locations. And in Houston, Rustika Café and Bakery partners with Robot Delivery Service.
The newest generation Ottobot 2.0 is the first fully customizable and modular robot designed for increased access for customers and directional mobility. Ottobot is able to navigate completely autonomously through crowds and complicated environments using Ottonomy's proprietary navigation platform. The proprietary system is highly scalable and flexible and utilizes a comprehensive suite of tools to manage a fleet of robots deployed at a location.