Friendly robot guides passengers at Amsterdam airport

PanARMENIAN.Net - If you're catching a plane at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport and come across a humanoid robot, don't worry, because you aren't hallucinating. It's only Spencer, a mechanical helper deployed by Dutch airline KLM to prevent passengers from getting lost and missing their flight, Digital Spy said.

Spencer, whose face is set atop of a tall rectangular body that houses a touchscreen, was developed by university and corporate researchers from five different European countries - Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

He gets around with the help of an array of 2D laser scanners, depth sensors, cameras and five on-board computers. He's packed with more tech than Jony Ive's lab.

Researchers at Orebro University in Sweden have taught Spencer to be socially aware, giving him the ability to perceive and learn human behaviours and respond in the appropriate manner.

The robot guide made his debut at Schiphol November 30 as part of a week-long trial, with plans in place to deploy a fully-autonomous version next March.

Those with return flights from Amsterdam will no doubt welcome a helping hand after a week of brain-addling festivities in the Dutch capital.