Food serving ‘snackbot’ on patrol at Munich Airport

Munich Airport is no stranger to using robotic technology having trialled a number of devices over the years, the latest of which is a new snackbot from which passengers can buy food and drinks.

Snackbot ‘JEEVES’ – the name is based on a loyal and competent servant from an English novel – offers a selection of chilled soft drinks and snacks that can be purchased via various cashless payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and all major credit cards.

Originally designed for use in the hotel and healthcare sector, it is believed to be the first time a self-driving robot of this type has been deployed as a ;snackbot; at an airport.

Standing just 110 centimetres tall, JEEVES can currently be found at work by the gate area on Levels 4 and 5 in Terminal 2 at Munich Airport.

It stops when passengers come near it or step into its path. A large touchscreen is used to complete the purchase.

The robot developed by the Munich start-up ‘Robotise; is being tested for one year by Terminal 2 Gesellschaft, a Munich Airport and Lufthansa subsidiary.

The German gateway notes that the use of robotics serves not only to improve logistics but also to research passenger acceptance and create added value for the passenger travel experience.