News

Pepper the robot to greet guests at airport restaurants

January 9, 2018

Travelers can expect to see more of the 4-foot tall humanoid, Pepper the robot, at select HMSHost North American airport restaurants, according to a press release. Pepper greets and engages traveling guests, provides menu details and even offers menu recommendations. 

Pepper recently debuted at Aveneu des Canadiens in Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport where travelers can select to speak with Pepper in French or English. Pepper also debuted at the Washington Redskins Burgundy & Gold Club in Washington Dulles International Airport and at Point the Way Café in Los Angeles International Airport. In addition to these three new airports, Pepper will remain at HMSHost's Pyramid Ale Taproom in Oakland International Airport. 

"We are excited to bring something as unique and entertaining as Pepper to help us further enhance the experience we offer our guests," HMSHost Vice President of Innovation Jim Schmitz said in the press release. 

Pepper customizes her features for each airport so her interactions with travelers will vary from location to location. At select locations, Pepper helps travelers with airport directions such as gates, the nearest restrooms, and finding other HMSHost-operated food and beverage options throughout the airport.

HMSHost launched a pilot program with SoftBank Robotics America in January 2017, to bring Pepper to her first North American airport location at Oakland International Airport to provide an entertaining and informative guest experience. Since then, Pepper has taken the airport by storm, entertaining guests, providing menu recommendations, helping with directions, and even posing for selfies.

Photo courtesy of HMSHost.