A research consortium will conduct tests at Kansai International Airport from October on robots designed to help passengers.

The group plans to examine the capabilities of 20 different types of robots over four years. The two first types of robots to be tested will assist foreigners and elderly people not familiar with airport boarding procedures. One will read out their tickets and lead the way to the right check-in counter, and the other will accompany passengers from nearby parking areas, carrying their luggage.

Participating companies will try to confirm the safety of the robots and improve their performance through the tests, in a bid to establish an operation and control system in which many robots can move safely without colliding into each other or with passengers even in congested terminals.

The group hopes to put the system into practical use in 2009.

Via Nikkei.