Friday 29 March 2024
 
»
 
»
Story

Ministry officials meet Pepper, the humanoid robot

Etihad Aviation Group showcases future of air travel

ABU DHABI, November 22, 2016

Etihad Aviation Group is showcasing the future of air travel and how the power of technology can enhance the guest experience during Etihad Innovation Week, which is part of the ongoing UAE Innovation Week.

This week's visitors to the Etihad Innovation Centre included Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development and Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi, Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, who were given a tour of the centre..

The airline is displaying a world where guests’ names are known before they approach check-in, favourite movies are cued up and ready prior to boarding and personalised travel itineraries are generated automatically – all supported by the latest technology, including IBM Watson.

Visitors to the Innovation Centre can also meet Pepper, the humanoid robot, designed with the ability to read emotions and adapt its behaviour accordingly, while 'Chef Watson' is creating original recipes for guests by cognitively analysing flavours and ingredients.

James Hogan, president and chief executive officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We operate in a highly competitive environment and in order to meet our guests expectations and deliver optimized efficiencies, an aggressive approach to technology and innovation is a necessity - not an option.”
Last year, Etihad Airways signed a $700 million strategic partnership with IBM to transform the airline’s global technology operations with cloud, analytics, mobile, security and cognitive technologies.

Etihad Innovation Week also features a Hackathon where university students compete by using IBM Watson’s cognitive technology to produce solutions for the travel industry. The three-day challenge, involving students from universities in Abu Dhabi, is being hosted with Cognit, a joint venture between Mubadala and IBM Watson.

Following the tour, Al Kaabi said: “I have enjoyed my visit to Etihad Innovation Week, as part of the country-wide celebrations, to see and hear the latest news on how the company is incorporating technology and innovative practices to the benefit of the customer, the economy and the wider travel and tourism industry. I was also delighted to see the participation of university students in the activities.”

Etihad Aviation Group has invested billions of dollars on technological innovation to streamline businesses across the group and enhance the guest experience, supported by partnerships with world leading technology firms, including IBM, SAP, Sabre, Adobe, Cognizant, and Sita.

UAE Innovation Week, running until November 26, is one of the largest innovation initiatives in the world and aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global innovation hub. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Etihad | travel | aviation | innovation | future | group | week | Air |

More Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Stories

calendarCalendar of Events

Ads