talked to the South China Morning Post about innovation. She also talked to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor about turning the metropolis into a smart city.

Humanoids robots have been gaining popularity in India for quite some time now. Although the country is still catching up with the developments in artificial intelligence and robotics as compared to others, Indian startups, as well as the government, are working at a rapid pace to integrate new age technologies. According to an IFR research, robot sales in India increased by 27 percent to a new peak of 2,627 units in India — almost the same as in Thailand. Another survey claims that India ranks third in implementing robotic automation.

Let us take a look at a few noteworthy humanoid robots that are designed and developed in India:

Manav

Manav is India’s first 3D-printed humanoid robot. The two kilo, two-feet tall robot has an inbuilt vision and sound processing capability which allows it to walk, talk and dance — just in response to human commands.

Developed by Delhi’s A-SET Training and Research Institute, the humanoid robot is primarily meant for research purposes and is made available to research institutes which offer robotics as a subject of study.

Manav can also perform activities like push-ups, headstands and can also play football. It uses an open-source code so that it can also be taught to learn and respond like a human child. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity and has a rechargeable lithium polymer battery that can work for an hour with a single full charge. The parts of Manav are all made in India, the outer frame of the robot is made of plastic and was 3D printed from A-SET’s own 3D printing venue, Buildkart Retail.

Mitra

The first indigenously built humanoid robot is capable of interacting with humans smartly. The five feet-tall humanoid robot is made of fibreglass and is programmed to greet customers using contextual help, autonomous navigation and facial and speech recognition. It also has a touchscreen on its chest which can be used to interact where speech is not possible. It can work for eight hours on a single charge. It can also understand multiple languages.

The humanoid robot was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Ivanka Trump, First Daughter and advisor to the President of the United States Donald Trump, at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) conference last year.

Developed by a Bengaluru-based robotics startup Invento Robotics, the robot can be found floating in the corridors of the Canara Bank and PVR Cinemas in Bengaluru, chatting with the customers and making them feel welcome.

According to the robot’s official website, the robot is as handy in the service sector as it is as a host. In fact, one can rent the robot for any party. Depending on the requirement, the startup customises the humanoids accordingly.

Reportedly, Mitra was also showcased at an annual technology conference Slush 17 in Helsinki, Finland. During the event, the robot not only caught the attention of the audience but also received opportunities for partnership with a European firm.

Robocop

Hyderabad-based AI and ML startup H-Bots Robotics has developed a police robot to assist in handling the law, order, and traffic management. The life-sized robot, which was deployed last year in Hyderabad, is equipped with cameras and an array of different sensors like ultrasonic, proximity and temperature sensors. The robot is designed to protect and secure places like offices, malls, airports, signal posts and other public spaces and can take care of security if deployed autonomously. Reportedly, the Robocop can diffuse bombs too. The beta version robot is made in India using all Indian components.

KEMPA

Passengers visiting Bengaluru airport may soon be greeted by a special robot assistant. Built to suit the needs of the Kempegowda International Airport, the little bot assistant, named KEMPA, will answers queries of confused passengers in English as well as Kannada.

The humanoid is built on AI by a Bengaluru-based startup Sirena Technologies. The advanced humanoid is completely designed and manufactured in Bengaluru.

KEMPA is programmed to provide flight and check-in details and other information about flights. While the bot is still being tweaked and is getting ready for the official launch. It also suggests places to visit in the state also engages in casual conversation with passengers.

RADA

Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, has created a unique artificial intelligence-based robot called RADA to automate simple tasks and improve customer experience.

According to a statement released by Vistara, the RADA will be placed at Vistara’s Signature Lounge at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport’s Terminal 3 from 5 July 2018 to assist customers before they board their flights. It will also help promote Vistara’s product and services with the help of distinct messages recited by the bot.

RADA will be further developed over a period of time in terms of functionality and features for future use cases, after gauging customer feedback. It is conceived, designed and engineered by its team of technology experts and apprentices from Tata Innovation Lab with support from students of reputed institutions.

Built on a chassis of four wheels, RADA can rotate 360 degrees and has three inbuilt cameras for cognitive interaction. Combining these components with an effective voice technology, Vistara has developed the robot to provide a simple solution to cater to the emerging and future trends.

IRA

Next time you enter the HDFC Branch, you may be greeted by a shiny white interactive humanoid called IRA (Intelligence Robotics Assistant). HDFC bank first launched IRA 1.0 in its Mumbai branch last year. Recently, it deployed an advanced version of IRA in its Koramangala Branch in Bengaluru.

IRA 2.0 is a blend of the former model and EVA (Electronic Virtual Assistant). It has been trained to answer questions frequently asked by the customers and assist the customers to the correct counter as per their requirements. The humanoid interacts with customers with a voice-based technology. IRA 2.0 has been created by HDFC Bank in collaboration with its technology partner Invento Makerspaces and Sensorforth Technologies. The bank claims that it is the first bank in India to introduce a humanoid for customer service.

INDRO

This is reportedly the tallest humanoid robot built in India. Created by researcher Santosh Vasudeo Hulawale, INDRO is an autonomous robot was made inside a house with easily available low-cost material like aluminium, wood, cardboard, plastic etc. According to a research paper, INDRO can be used for lightweight tasks like entertainment, education and a few household works. The autonomous humanoid robot is not fully autonomous and can be controlled both autonomously and manually. It has 31 motors and can perform actions like a human. In addition, it can lift objects weighing up to 2 kilos with its hands.

DRDO’s Daksh

This made-in-India robot is primarily designed to detect and recover Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the robot was inducted by Indian Army around 2011. Reportedly, 20 Daksh robots are already being used by the Indian Army.

Using its X-ray vision, Daksh can identify a hazardous object and can diffuse it with a jet of water. Daksh is capable of climbing staircase and negotiating cross-country terrains and is capable of towing a suspected vehicle away from a crowded area. Additionally, it can be operated from a distance of 2.5 kilometres and can handle car explosives with its high-calibre shotgun. Reportedly, after it got an upgrade in 2015, it not only became lighter, faster and rugged, but has also been equipped with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazard detection mechanism. The new Daksh is made of aluminium alloy which has reduced the weight and has become three-time faster, compared to the older version, which was made of steel.

Conclusion

India’s robotics industry is still small when compared with those of South Korea, Japan, US and China. Nonetheless, there are only three robots per 10,000 employees in India. But it is only a matter of time before the country becomes a major player in robotics design and development. India already has many of the basic elements in place to become a robotics industry, including established business, academic research, government support and an increasingly entrepreneurial business community.

source : Analytics India Mag

it takes a lot to get people to stop in their tracks.

A robot straight out of Star Wars is pacing the arrivals curb at the airport’s Terminal B, loaded with cameras and other sensors to enhance security coverage in the congested spot. The security robot – she’s a girl by the way, even has a name – ‘B-3PO’ for Terminal B, where she roams around.

as its spokesperson for the future of innovation and technology in aviation at ATM.

Sophia is the AI-powered robot famous for speaking at the UN and interviewing celebrities and world leaders alike.

She was named the United Nations Development Programme’s first ever Innovation Champion for Asia and the Pacific, and is also the first robot in the world to have a nationality, after being granted citizenship by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Sophia took part in a one-on-one interview with host Damian Watson, Head of Station at Abu Dhabi Media Company and discussed the future of innovation and technology in aviation. She also talked about her experiences and impressions of the Capital, at the Etihad Theatre on Etihad’s ATM stand.

As well as Sophia’s appearance, the Etihad Theatre will feature presentations and Question and Answer sessions with Etihad executives and guests including Special Olympics and Manchester City Football Club, covering the areas of guest experience, marketing partnerships, environment and sustainability.

In an interview with local media, Sophia said she believes that the aviation industry will benefit the most if robots and human staff work alongside together. She said that it can make the overall travel experience even more efficient and enjoyable than it already is for customers. “I would love to see more robots in airports,” she said.

Sophia also commended the different initiatives that the industry is taking towards making aviation more sustainable.

Etihad Airways CEO Peter Baumgartner also took part in a one-on-one CEO interview as part of the main ATM programming on the ATM Global Stage.

Visitors to the stand will also be able to engage with Etihad’s latest innovation in the Skylights – VR Entertainment Trial, as well as learn about and interact with key partnership properties including the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, and Manchester City Football Club.

The Arabian Travel Market 2018 takes place from Sunday 22 through Wednesday 25 April at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The Etihad Airways stand will be located at Stand Number ME2310 in Hall Number 2.

source : https://tinyurl.com/ybrh2wcu

After a long day of travel, there’s nothing better than receiving a warm welcome. Now that is guaranteed at the San Antonio International Airport.
“Erin” greets you with a smile, and says “enjoy your time at some of our great restaurants!”
She’s one of two interactive robots you’ll meet in the airport. Paul McManus designed her to be the ultimate service greeter for tired travelers.

UP NEXT:

01:00
Deputies took down gunman after he killed woman
WATCHED BY
of viewers like you

New York International Auto Show top 5 cars
WATCHED BY
of viewers like you

Teens now trying to snort condoms

LOCAL

Interactive robots greet travelers in S.A. Intl. Airport
New robots are set to help travelers decide where to shop, where to eat and how to get to know San Antonio.

Author: Savannah Louie
Published: 5:20 PM CDT March 30, 2018
Updated: 6:25 PM CDT March 30, 2018
After a long day of travel, there’s nothing better than receiving a warm welcome. Now that is guaranteed at the San Antonio International Airport.
“Erin” greets you with a smile, and says “enjoy your time at some of our great restaurants!”
She’s one of two interactive robots you’ll meet in the airport. Paul McManus designed her to be the ultimate service greeter for tired travelers.

“It has where to shop and where to eat,” he said. “People can take selfies letting them know that they’re at the San Antonio airport having a good time.”
Erin is bilingual. She speaks English and Spanish. She can move around and is expected to cheer up the grumpiest travelers with a touch of her screen.
“San Antonio’s all about fun, and this robot is all about fun,” McManus said.
She was constructed in six weeks. The short timeline makes San Antonio the second airport in the country to have this type of interactive robot.
Airport executive Rich Stinson said she will make the Alamo City’s airport one of the best in the country.
“This is going to take our customer experience here and just raise the bar for customers who come through,” said Stinson. “It creates distance between us and all other airports.”
The timing couldn’t be better. Erin was given special features for NCAA Final Four weekend.
“Different passengers can vote for who’s going to win the Final Four,” explained McManus. “It’ll keep a running tally and get a buzz of who everyone votes for.”
The response from travelers has been positive. Within five minutes of Erin’s deployment in Terminal A, she was surrounded by a small crowd.

source : https://tinyurl.com/y72weyml

after its March 20 inauguration, in the first such instance anywhere in the world. They will impersonate airport staff, the Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) said. No further details have been given about the robots.

Additionally, passengers have been asked to report at least three hours before departure at the new airport on March 20.

The first flight will land at the new airport at 5.30pm while the first flight will depart at 6.50pm.
Those who need to cancel their visas have to report four hours before departure, according to a notice issued by Board of Airline Representatives to all travel agents.
The revamped Muscat International Airport is expected to have the capacity to handle more than 12 million passengers a year, and 48 million passengers after the completion of the four-phase construction projects.
The first stage covered 580,000 square metres and features 86 check-in counters, 10 baggage claim belts, 40 gates for both departure and arrival, 29 lounges, 29 aircraft stands with jet-bridges as well as a new control tower.
The new terminal will have the capacity to handle large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 747. The existing terminal will be used for low-cost carrier operations.

source: https://tinyurl.com/y9mp2s5s

” held at Haneda Airport in October 2017. EMIEW 3 learns new phrases by providing facility/store guidance and taking a customer to his destination.

At CES 2018 in Las Vegas, LG reveals three new concept robots that are designed for hospitality, service and shopping

source : https://tinyurl.com/y7fucp68

LG intends to make useful robots. Last year CES presented a pair of bots designed to clean up at airports and help travelers find their way. Today, he announced a trio of new robots designed to help transport things from drinks to suitcases and purchases. The technical details about the three bots are scarce including how big they are and how fast they move, but judging by their images, they are shorter than humans, with some kind of wheelbase hidden for movement. It has built-in screens, presumably to provide information and receive instructions, and has the same bright-eyed robot face that the company used for its home concentrator robot. The robots will be part of the new “CLOi” range of LG, the new brand for all its robot products. From left to right in the image at the top of the page, there is the CLOi service robot, which has a built-in sliding tray and will distribute food and drinks in hotels and airports; the CLOi gatekeeper robot, which will transport luggage and can also handle “express check-in and check-out services”; and the CLOi purchasing robot, which will follow the customers of the stores, picking up their purchases and increasing their prices. All three are “conceptual” robots, which means they are not for general sale. But, presumably, LG will begin to test them in places very soon. Its two airport robots are already being tested at the Incheon International Airport in South Korea, with the aim of helping during the rush for the Winter Olympics in neighboring Pyeongchang County. We will see more of the new CLOi robots at CES next week, so be careful with more.