Hyundai pilots COVID-friendly contactless car showroom robot

Hyundai Motor Group has showcased the DAL-e, a customer service robot that could end up in Hyundai and Kia showrooms.

The DAL-e is equipped with facial recognition as well as an automatic communication system and enables interaction with customers in a socially-distanced manner, welcoming customers into the showroom when other staff members are busy.

The robot commenced operation at the Group’s southern Seoul showroom on January 25, as part of a pilot project.

“The DAL-e is a next-generation service platform that can offer automated customer services anytime. It is expected to become a messenger capable of delivering consistent messages to customers in a more intimate and personal way than conventional robots,” said Dong Jin Hyun, vice president and head of the Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Group.

“With continuous updates and improvements, the DAL-e will provide fresh, pleasant experiences to our valued customers in a contact-free environment.

“Our objective is to enable the DAL-e to engage in a smooth and entertaining communication with customers and present valuable services to them.”

In the event that a customer enters the showroom without wearing a mask, the android recognises it and advises the customer to wear one.

The DAL-e can engage in an “automated and smooth” dialogue with customers by providing information on products and services and responding to verbal and screen touch commands.

It can move freely and escort customers to designated spots on site while also beckoning visitors to take photos with it and providing gestured feedback using its movable arms.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to continue updating the DAL-e based on data from pilot operations, further improving its operational capabilities as an advanced android robot.