In the baggage hall at Schiphol, Aviapartner employees have started using the first of the airport’s new baggage robots. The robot is taking over the heavy physical work – the lifting of suitcases – from the baggage handling staff. Schiphol purchased 19 robots after positive reactions from employees during a trial earlier this year. In addition, the airport has acquired a 10% stake in Cobot Lift, the company that makes the robots, in order to ensure a swift roll out and scaling up at Schiphol. The baggage robots were specially and speedily developed for Schiphol in the past six months. Because the employee and the robot work together, the airport expects the robot to be able to lift at least 80% to 90% of all baggage items without problems when used on a large scale. An initial trial was carried out this summer, after which the airport decided to fast-track the purchase of the robots. (....)