The travel industry is undergoing a bit of a technological revolution, and at the forefront of this transformation are humanoid robots. Once the stuff of science fiction, these human-like machines are now becoming tangible realities in airports, hotels, and tourist attractions around the world. Designed to mimic human appearance and interaction, humanoid robots are enhancing customer service, improving operational efficiency, and delivering memorable experiences that blend convenience with innovation.

In an era when travelers value both speed and personalization, these robots are stepping in to greet guests, assist with check-ins, provide directions, offer multilingual support, and even serve as guides in museums and tourist sites. While some of their advanced capabilities remain in development, many are already fully operational, particularly in tech-forward countries like Japan, the Netherlands, and Germany.

Join us as we explore how humanoid robots are being used today in the travel industry, where they’re headed in the near future, and the opportunities and challenges they present along the way.

hotel robot by Travelarz licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 PL

Hotels

Humanoid robots are increasingly making themselves at home in hotel lobbies, guest rooms, and behind front desks, changing how travelers are welcomed, informed, and served. Whether providing check-in assistance or delivering extra towels, these robotic team members are redefining hospitality’s human touch with high-tech finesse. Here are two noteworthy examples:

Henn-na Hotel, Japan

Billed as the world’s first hotel staffed by robots, Henn-na Hotel in Japan has become a headline-grabbing example of robotic hospitality. The hotel famously features humanoid receptionists and even robotic dinosaurs at the check-in counter. Robots also assist with porter services, room control, and luggage storage. Although some robots were eventually removed due to technical challenges and limited functionality, the hotel’s bold experiment continues to highlight what’s possible, and what still needs refining, in the push toward automation in hospitality.

Pepper Robot

Created by SoftBank Robotics, Pepper is one of the most recognizable humanoid robots in the service industry today. In hotel settings, Pepper has been deployed by global brands like Marriott, where it greets guests in multiple languages, assists with the check-in process, and offers local recommendations. With touch-screen capabilities and a friendly demeanor, Pepper adds both novelty and efficiency to the guest experience — and occasionally, a selfie opportunity.

 Hiro Japanese robot by Tecnalia licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Airports

Navigating a bustling airport can be stressful, especially in a foreign country. Enter humanoid robots: multilingual, unflappable, and always ready to lend a digital hand. In recent years, airports around the world have begun experimenting with these robotic assistants to help travelers find their gates, check flight times, and even provide a friendly face in an otherwise high-pressure environment. Here are some of the leading examples:

Josie Pepper at Munich Airport — Germany

Standing at just over four feet tall, Josie Pepper is a humanoid robot designed to help passengers with real-time information and navigational assistance. Deployed at Terminal 2, she answers questions in English using IBM Watson AI cloud services, offering guests directions, gate info, and even a touch of personality during their journey.

Spencer Robot at Schiphol Airport — Netherlands

Developed as part of a European Union research project, Spencer is designed to guide unfamiliar travelers through complex airport layouts. Spencer can detect group behavior and avoid obstacles, helping passengers reach their gates in a calm, coordinated manner. Though tested as a proof-of-concept, Spencer demonstrated how humanoid robots could actively reduce traveler stress in crowded environments.

Various at Paris-Charles de Gaulle — France

While not always a permanent fixture, SoftBank’s humanoid robot Pepper has been used at Paris-Charles de Gaulle for pilot programs and special events. Positioned in busy terminals, Pepper provides customer assistance in multiple languages, offering directions, flight information, and friendly interaction. Paris-Charles de Gaulle has also explored other forms of robotic innovation. Stan, an autonomous robotic valet developed by Stanley Robotics, parks passengers’ cars in outdoor terminals to optimize space and reduce wait times. Though Stan isn’t humanoid, it demonstrates the broader commitment to robotics in modern air travel.

NASA humanoid robot by NASA Johnson licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Tourism, Entertainment & Retail

Humanoid robots are expanding beyond functional service roles to become engaging ambassadors for tourism, culture, and brand experiences. Their interactive nature makes them ideal for enhancing visitor engagement at museums, events, and exhibitions, where they can both inform and entertain, often while creating memorable moments that travelers love to share.

Guide Robots in Museums and Cultural Sites

Museums and cultural institutions across the globe are deploying humanoid robots to guide visitors, answer questions, and deliver interactive educational content. Notable examples include robots at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., and science museums throughout Europe and Asia. These robots often respond to voice commands, adapt to the visitor’s language, and personalize experiences based on user interaction, adding a dynamic layer to traditional exhibits.

Retail & Brand Integration

Travel companies and tourism brands are increasingly incorporating humanoid robots into retail and promotional settings to attract attention and demonstrate innovation. At travel expos, destination showcases, and corporate lounges, these robots serve as greeters, presenters, and interactive mascots—engaging visitors with spoken language, gestures, and even personalized messages.

For example, at Japan’s Tourism EXPO Japan, humanoid robots like Pepper were used to hand out promotional materials, converse with attendees in multiple languages, and provide information about regional attractions. Similarly, the KTO (Korea Tourism Organization) has used humanoid robots at international events to promote Korean culture and travel experiences, offering everything from virtual tours to interactive games.

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Humanoid Robot by Travelarz licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 PL

What’s Next?

While humanoid robots are already making real-world contributions across hotels, airports, and tourism venues, their most transformative potential is still on the horizon. Many of today’s deployments remain in early stages, with several key capabilities still under development.

• Fully autonomous issue resolution: Current robots typically assist with basic tasks, but handling complex or emotionally charged customer service situations without human backup is still out of reach.
• Emotional intelligence and personalization: AI advancements are improving responsiveness, but robots have yet to master the subtle art of empathy — an area vital to hospitality and travel experiences.
• Large-scale adoption: Most examples today are confined to pilot programs, luxury venues, or tech-forward countries. Expanding robot deployment to budget accommodations, smaller transport hubs, and mainstream travel settings remains a long-term goal.
• System integration: True convenience will require seamless coordination between robots and property management systems, customer databases, booking engines, and smart environments — a level of integration still in progress.

As technology evolves, these gaps will likely narrow. What’s certain is that humanoid robots are no longer a futuristic fantasy — they’re boarding the industry today, and the best may be yet to come.

FAQs:

Q: Are humanoid robots replacing human workers in travel and hospitality?
A: Not entirely. Most humanoid robots are used to supplement human staff by handling routine or repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on more complex or personalized service.

Q: Do humanoid robots require internet access to work?
A: Yes, many rely on cloud-based AI platforms and need stable internet connections to access real-time information and understand voice or language input effectively.

Q: Can travelers interact with robots in their native language?
A: Many humanoid robots are equipped with multilingual support and speech recognition, enabling them to communicate in several languages, though accuracy can vary depending on the language and context.

Q: Are humanoid robots accessible to people with disabilities?
A: Some models are designed with accessibility in mind, offering voice commands, touch screens, and adjustable height displays. However, not all are fully compliant with accessibility standards yet.

Q: How secure is the data collected by humanoid robots?
A: Data security depends on the manufacturer and hosting systems. Leading providers implement encryption and privacy protocols, but users should be cautious when sharing personal or payment information.

Q: Can I request a robot during a hotel stay?
A: In some tech-forward hotels, yes. Guests may request robot services like room delivery or concierge support via the front desk or in-room tablet, if available.

Q: Are children allowed to interact with humanoid robots?
A: Absolutely. Many robots are designed to be family-friendly and are even programmed to entertain or educate children in public spaces like museums and airport lounges.

Have you ever encountered any of these humanoid robots in your travels? Tell us about it in the comments below! 

 

Featured Image: ASIMO by Ars Electronica licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0