Robots at Your Service: Munich Airport’s High-Tech Helpers Take Flight
Travel through Munich Airport’s Terminal 2, and you might spot a robot rolling up to assist—or offer you a snack.
In true German efficiency-meets-innovation style, Munich Airport has deployed a fleet of service robots to elevate the passenger experience and streamline terminal operations.
Meet the Ottobots: Your Gate and Baggage Reclaim Guides
Two futuristic assistants, affectionately known as “Ottobots,” have been stationed in the gate areas and baggage reclaim zones. Their mission? To help travelers access important flight information with ease.
All it takes is a quick scan of a QR code on the side of the robot with your smartphone or tablet. From there, you’ll be directed to Lufthansa’s chat assistant, where you can:
- View your flight status
- Manage changes to your itinerary
- Rebook disrupted flights
- Even request refunds
It’s a seamless, contactless solution designed to make navigating travel hiccups just a little less stressful.
And Munich Airport isn’t stopping there—future plans include using Ottobots to distribute bottled water to waiting passengers. Hydration meets automation.
Enter JEEVES: The World’s First Airport Snackbot
While the Ottobots handle the admin, JEEVES is here to keep your cravings in check.
Originally created for hotels and hospitals, this self-driving snack robot is now making airport history as the first of its kind to operate in a terminal.
Named after the famously efficient English butler, JEEVES offers a curated selection of chilled drinks and snacks. Payments are fully cashless, with support for Apple Pay, Google Pay, and all major credit cards.
Here’s how it works:
- JEEVES roams autonomously across Levels 4 and 5 in Terminal 2
- It stops when it detects people nearby
- Passengers order via a built-in touchscreen
- The purchase is processed instantly, and you’re good to go
It’s like a vending machine with personality—and wheels.
More Than a Gimmick: A Testbed for Innovation
These robotic deployments are part of a one-year pilot program by Terminal 2 Gesellschaft, the joint venture between Munich Airport and Lufthansa.
The goal? To explore how robotics can:
- Improve terminal logistics
- Enhance the overall passenger journey
- Gauge customer acceptance of tech-driven services
For Munich Airport, this isn’t just about flash—it’s about blending technology with thoughtful design to cement its reputation as a premium innovation hub in global aviation.
The Future of Air Travel is Rolling In
Whether you’re scanning a QR code to resolve a delayed flight or grabbing a soft drink from a friendly robot, one thing is clear: the travel experience at Munich Airport is getting smarter, smoother, and a lot more interactive.
As other airports watch and learn, Munich is once again setting the pace for what next-gen air travel looks like—efficient, intuitive, and delightfully unexpected.