Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC) is giving passengers a new way to pass the time at the boarding gate with the debut of a new interactive play space featuring robots.
The iPal Playground features ‘social companion robots’ to play with, entertain and educate passengers. The playground includes a maze, as well as an interactive play space where passengers can sing, dance and talk with iPal, and explore the child-sized robot’s educational apps.
Designed as an educational and safety companion for children, iPal engages children in active learning, social interaction, and fosters an interest in science and technology.
It also helps parents keep an eye on children remotely with its built-in camera, microphone and mobile app/web-based monitoring capability.
iPal is based on Android and the robot’s 6-inch screen enables child-safe web and social media access, enabling children to chat with friends, share videos and more without risk.
The iPal Playground expands on SJC’s recent deployment of #SJCRobots, the airport’s new robot customer service agents. #SJCRobots help passengers find dining, shopping and other services while entertaining and engaging them during their travels.
Kim Becker, SJC’s Director of Aviation:
“We are transforming the customer service experience for travelers at SJC, giving them the innovative, next-generation experience they’d expect from a world-class air travel hub.
“The iPal Playground provides young travelers—and the young at heart—a fun and active outlet from the sedentary nature of travel, and a chance to stretch their legs and their imaginations.”
The playground is located near Gate 25 in Terminal B.
The robots are made in China by AvatarMind.
About Mineta San José International Airport
SJC serves more than 10 million passengers annually, with 173 peak daily departures on 14 domestic and international carriers to 40 nonstop destinations.
SJC offers:
- free and fast WiFi
- Mobile Passport app
- Global Entry kiosks
N.B. Image credit: AvatarMind
