Seattle's Sea-Tac Airport Creates Robot 'Tracy' To Help Travelers Get Through Security

Robots are now helping passengers get through security faster. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport announced this week it is testing a robot to speed up the security process for passengers.

The robot gives travelers tips for getting through security faster, like reminding them to remove objects such as scarves, light jackets, belts and to empty their pockets before going through screening.

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“The robot pilot program is an example of how Sea-Tac airport embraces technology, science and operational innovations,” the airport said in a release.

Sea-Tac officials will track the number of times travelers set off the body scanner alert during and after the robot test to see if it is actually helping speed up the process.

Airport officials stressed that the robot will not replace humans.

“The robot is not designed to replace humans! The technology augments the work of human beings, allowing them to spend more time on critical security tasks,” Sea-Tac said.

The airport released a short video of the robot working at Sea-Tac:

The robot’s name is Tracy, according to local station KIRO 7. Tracy can be programmed to give tips in six languages, including Spanish, English and Chinese. The language is adjusted based on what language is being spoken by travelers that approach the robot.

The robot says : “Hello, my name is Tracy. Please follow my instructions so the line moves quickly, and you don’t set off the body scan alarms.”

Considering the pilot goes well, Sea-Tac will pay between $20,000 to $30,000 to buy the robots. That might seem expensive, but the airport previously paid $3.3 million for 90 temporary contractors to help travelers get through security faster. The airport hired the personnel because of heavy wait times early last and low TSA staffing, according to KIRO 7.

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Tracy isn’t the only robot at a U.S. airport. Last October, – Mineta San Jose International Airport announced its #SJCRobots, Norman, Amelia, and Piper. The robots were named after Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic, William T. Piper, a U.S. airplane manufacturer and founder of the Piper Aircraft Corporation and San Jose politician Norman Mineta.

The robots are similar to Tracy and work as customer service agents by engaging and entertaining passengers, as well as assisting them with locating dining, shopping, and other services. The machines speak six languages, English, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

“Our #SJCRobots offer travelers who are arriving and departing through Silicon Valley's airport with an iconic experience reflecting our region's unique culture of innovation,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo at the time.

The robot program at San Jose Airport cost $120,000. The machines, which operate on Microsoft Windows software, were made by South Korea-based robot designer and manufacturer Future Robot.