AI-Powered Humanoid Robot ‘Spaceo M1’ Begins Trial Run at Pune Airport
Pune, February 21, 2026: In a step toward enhancing passenger services through technology, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has deployed an AI-enabled humanoid robot, ‘Spaceo M1’, at Pune Airport on a pilot basis.
The robot, developed by Muks Robotics, will undergo a trial phase during which authorities will assess its functionality, passenger engagement, and overall operational efficiency within the terminal.
Santosh Dhoke, Director of Pune Airport, stated that the robot has been introduced as part of a testing initiative. “We will evaluate its technical performance and observe how passengers interact with it. Based on feedback and necessary improvements, a decision will be taken regarding its long-term integration into airport operations,” he said.
Mukesh Bangar, Founder and CEO of Muks Robotics, described the deployment as an important advancement in bringing artificial intelligence into public infrastructure. He noted that Spaceo M1 is designed to function beyond a standard information kiosk. Equipped with natural language processing capabilities, the humanoid assistant can respond to passenger queries related to airport amenities, dining options, boarding procedures, and other terminal services in an interactive manner.
The robot has also been programmed with comprehensive information about Pune city. Arriving passengers can seek guidance on tourist attractions such as Shaniwar Wada, as well as details about local transportation, hotels, restaurants, and prominent landmarks. Bangar added that the system is scalable and can be updated with customised datasets depending on the airport’s evolving requirements.
Airport officials said the trial will help determine how effectively the AI-driven assistant enhances passenger convenience and supports airport staff in managing information services.
