Emirates Group is developing a luggage robot that will identify passengers by face, accept bags, weigh them, and attach tags automatically.

Emirates plans to showcase and launch the technology during the first quarter of 2027, expanding automation across airport passenger processing and baggage handling.

Keenan Hamza, Vice President of Innovation and New Technologies at Emirates Group, disclosed the project during ForsaTEK 2026 in Dubai. 

ForsaTEK runs at Emirates Group headquarters on September 21 2026, and September 22 2026. Emirates is extending robotics, artificial intelligence and biometric systems across passenger, cargo and operational functions.

Robot extends Sara check-in technology

Emirates is building the baggage robot based on work already done with Sara, its robotic check-in assistant. Sara matches a passenger’s face with a scanned passport, completes flight check-in and directs the traveller towards luggage drop facilities.

New hardware will extend that sequence into baggage acceptance. Hamza outlined a process where the robot recognises an approaching passenger, scans the traveller’s face and receives the bag. Equipment then weighs the item and attaches the baggage tag automatically.

Emirates is combining identity verification and physical baggage handling within a single passenger interaction. That design shifts several airport processing tasks into one automated unit.

Sara remains deployed through Emirates City Check In and Travel Store in Dubai International Financial Centre. Emirates also offers self-service kiosks, staffed desks and off-airport baggage processing across Dubai.

Robotics lab targets airport automation

The group has established a specialised robotics lab to develop automation for passenger operations, cargo services and logistics processes. Hamza linked the luggage project directly to that facility and the Group’s wider technology programme.

ForsaTEK 2026 also included work on automated aircraft maintenance inspection. Emirates Group presented a system using drones to inspect engine components during the event.

Hamza described the engine inspection application as a regional first. “We are the first entity in the region to do this,” he told reporters.

Cargo operations have also moved selected measurement work into automated processing. The company has automated pallet dimension measurement within its cargo operations.

Hamza reported that several technology concepts discussed or tested two years earlier have entered operational use across the business. The company is using the robotics lab to move more projects from trials into airport, cargo and logistics workflows.

AI moves into passenger personalisation

The company is also using artificial intelligence to process passenger preference data across service functions. Hamza outlined a plan to use historical customer information to anticipate individual requirements before travellers request them.

Food and beverage preferences form part of that work. “By leveraging artificial intelligence solutions, we aim to provide the best service and quality for individuals, and to understand what travellers like and prefer to eat and drink,” Hamza said.

The company is targeting more proactive service delivery through combined AI, biometric identification and passenger data. Systems are being developed to recognise previous preferences and surface relevant service options during future journeys.

ForsaTEK 2026 brings together aviation, government and technology participants around practical applications across airline operations. Emirates is using the event to present projects that are progressing from testing to live operational deployment.

Emirates scales technology investment

The company reported record revenue and cash assets for the financial year ending March 31, 2026. Group revenue reached $41.0 billion (AED 150.5 billion), up 3 per cent.

Profit before tax reached $6.6 billion (AED 24.4 billion), while cash assets climbed to $16.2 billion (AED 59.6 billion). Emirates airline generated $35.7 billion (AED 130.9 billion) in revenue during the same period.

Group investment in aircraft, facilities, equipment and technology reached $4.9 billion (AED 17.9 billion) during the 2025 to 2026 financial year.

Emirates targets the first quarter of 2027 for the luggage robot’s public showcase and official launch. Passenger identification, baggage acceptance, weighing and tagging will sit inside the same robotic process.

Source: Arabian Business