'Calm' robot to guide passengers to their gates at busy airport

For travellers in a hurry, navigating their way through the terminals at a busy airport can be a stressful experience. At one European airport, however, there will soon be help for those racing to reach their flight in time from a friendly robot called Spencer. Designed with a calm, 'unstirring' face, the robot will trundle around Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam to guide passengers from one gate to another. Spencer the robot (pictured) is due to be tested in Schiphol airport to help guide passengers to the correct gate. Spencer, which stands for'Social situation-aware perception and action for cognitive robots', will build up detailed maps of the airport to help it find its way while avoiding walls and other obstacles.