The launch of Etihad Rail’s passenger services is an important step in the development of the UAE’s transport infrastructure. It also creates opportunities to use technology to make the journey more engaging.
Etihad Rail has introduced two humanoid robots, one A2 Ultra and one X2 Ultra. Supplied and supported by Jacky’s Business Solutions, they are being used to welcome passengers and create interactive experiences across station areas and platforms.
Each robot has a different role.
Supporting passenger interaction
Standing at 169 centimetres, the A2 Ultra is designed for customer-facing environments. It can communicate in more than 20 languages, engage in natural conversations and move autonomously using 360-degree perception.
Within the Etihad Rail environment, it can interact with passengers, respond to questions and support general wayfinding. Its multilingual capabilities are particularly useful in the UAE, where public transport serves residents and visitors from many different nationalities.
The robot can also be customised with an approved knowledge base relevant to the location and its intended role.
The X2 Ultra brings a more expressive element to the passenger experience. At 130 centimetres tall, it is designed for performance and audience interaction.
Its fluid movement, speech capabilities and programmable routines make it suitable for welcoming activities, special occasions and engaging moments within busy public spaces. Its appearance, messages and movements can also be adapted to suit the environment.
Together, the two robots combine practical communication with a more memorable and interactive passenger experience.
Preparing robotics for public spaces
Introducing humanoid robots into a transport environment involves more than supplying the hardware. The robots need to be configured for the location, programmed with the right information and tested around passengers, staff and station infrastructure.
Jacky’s Business Solutions worked on the deployment and customisation of both robots, with its technical team providing the on-ground support required for their operation.
The project demonstrates how robotics can move beyond exhibitions and demonstrations into practical, customer-facing environments.
A wider robotics portfolio
The Etihad Rail deployment forms part of Jacky’s Business Solutions’ wider work in robotics and automation across the region.
Its robotics portfolio includes Pepper from Softbank Robots, temi and NAO, alongside the A2 Ultra and X2 Ultra robots. These platforms support a variety of applications, including customer engagement, visitor assistance, education, presentations and interactive experiences.
Different environments require different robotic capabilities. A robot welcoming visitors in a corporate reception will have a different role from one supporting learning in a classroom or interacting with passengers at a transport hub.
Jacky’s Business Solutions works with organisations to identify the appropriate platform, customise it for its intended purpose and provide the technical support needed for deployment.
As public spaces become more digitally enabled, robotics may take on a wider role in sharing information, supporting navigation and creating more engaging visitor experiences.
For more on the robotics range and how it can enhance your operations, reach out to our team on vms.sales@jackys.com for more.
