‘Avatars’ to replace some humans at NYC area airports
May 23, 2012 by Amara D. Angelica
A human customer service representative at LGA airport next to a newly unveiled customer service 'avatar' (credit: Jim O'Grady/WNYC)
As if TSA groping in airports wasn’t enough, now we’re going to be subjected to some kind of creepy composite of Princess Leia from Star Wars and the advertising scene in Minority Report.
“I can be just about anything you want me to be,” over-enthuses the simulated “customer service representative,” five of which are intended for installation in LaGuardia, JFK. and Liberty Newark airports in early July, according to Time Techland and other sources.
The “avatar” — actually, a simple looped video recording — will be projected onto a life-sized flat screen in the shape of a woman. She will dispense flight information and tips about services like shuttle bus and taxi pick-ups when a customer approaches.
Weirdly, she will not be interactive, which is at least consistent with my experience with airport personnel.
What’s next? Groping by robots? Hmm, probably preferable.
Comments (12)
by DCWhatthe
Eventually, the avatars will start groping each other & looking at each other with suspicion, we’ll all see how ludicrous and ineffective it is, and as a result we’ll find less invasive ways to handle airline safety.
by zukey badtouch
Because a $10 sign that says “” is simply not effective in today’s world full of hustle and bustle…
by ashleyleap
A tv shaped as a person??? ooooo… That’s essentially what it is… until this avatar can interact with people.
by BP
what a joke; 250k for a human shaped TV
by Esther
Well, there go the jobs that the unemployed of United States could have had.
I wonder how many other ideas will come up in the future that will take more jobs away from people that need jobs. From people that need to pay their rent, mortgage, put food on the table, etc.
by Bri
Don’t you think receptionists and secretaries are next? Especially with suri around! Twice as fast, twice as smart tomorrow!
by Spikosauropod
This is the first time I’ve ever wanted to strangle a projection!
by IC
I’ve seen similar things in the Mall of America.
by Shen
There is already such a thing at Bristol Internation Airport in the UK, although only one that I know of it greets you at passport control and provides you with information regarding visas and landing cards.
by Ruslan Vasylev
Heh, cool, there was a similar demo at Vancouver Olympics 2010!
by Marcos Marin
That guy in the picture is totally checking that avatar 2D butt out. “look the slim silhouette she’s got!”
by Khannea Suntzu
Amara you is so funny.