Emirates Group is developing a luggage robot that can identify passengers using facial recognition, accept their bags, weigh them and attach baggage tags automatically. Keenan Hamza, Vice President of Innovation and New Technologies at Emirates Group, shared details of the project during ForsaTEK 2026 in Dubai on September 21–22. The technology is still under development, with Emirates targeting a showcase and launch in the first quarter of 2027.
The project matters because it could combine several airport processes that passengers currently complete separately, extending Emirates’ use of biometrics and robotics at Dubai International Airport.
- Location: Dubai, UAE
- Organisation: Emirates Group
- Status: Under development
- Expected launch: First quarter of 2027
- Who could use it: Emirates passengers, subject to the final deployment and eligibility requirements
- Planned functions: Facial recognition, baggage acceptance, weighing and automatic tagging
Emirates Group is developing a luggage robot that will be designed to scan a passenger’s face, accept their luggage, weigh the bag and attach its baggage tag automatically. Keenan Hamza, Vice President of Innovation and New Technologies at Emirates Group, disclosed the project during ForsaTEK 2026 at Emirates Group headquarters in Dubai. Emirates is targeting the first quarter of 2027 to showcase and launch the technology, although details such as the initial airport location, number of robots and passenger eligibility have not yet been disclosed.
What will the Emirates luggage robot do?
The planned Emirates luggage robot will bring passenger identification and baggage handling into a single automated interaction.
Based on Hamza’s description, the process is expected to work in several stages:
- The robot recognises an approaching passenger.
- It scans the passenger’s face for identification.
- The passenger hands over their luggage.
- The system weighs the bag.
- The robot automatically attaches the baggage tag.
This means passengers could eventually complete several baggage-drop steps through one machine rather than moving between separate check-in and baggage-handling points.
However, Emirates has not yet publicly disclosed all technical and operational details. It has not confirmed the robot’s final design, capacity, exact airport deployment or whether the service will be available to all passengers.
When will Emirates launch the luggage robot?
Emirates is targeting the first quarter of 2027 for the luggage robot’s public showcase and launch.
The information was shared by Keenan Hamza during ForsaTEK 2026, Emirates Group’s technology and innovation event held at its Dubai headquarters on September 21 and 22.
The Q1 2027 date should therefore be understood as Emirates’ stated target rather than a confirmed date when passengers will begin using the system at Dubai International Airport.
Emirates has not announced a specific launch day or confirmed which airport facilities will receive the technology first.
How is the luggage robot connected to Emirates’ Sara robot?
The luggage robot builds on technology Emirates has already introduced through Sara, its robotic check-in assistant.
Sara operates at Emirates’ City Check-in and Travel Store in the Dubai International Financial Centre. The system can match a passenger’s face with their scanned passport, complete flight check-in and direct the traveller towards baggage-drop facilities.
The new project takes the concept further by bringing baggage handling into the automated process.
Instead of stopping once check-in is completed, the next-generation system is being designed to handle the physical luggage as well.
This approach could create a more connected journey from passenger identification through to bag acceptance, although Emirates has not yet confirmed how the new system will integrate with existing airport infrastructure.
Does Emirates already use facial recognition at Dubai airport?
Yes. Emirates already uses biometric technology at selected points across Dubai International Airport Terminal 3.
The airline says eligible passengers can use Emirates Biometrics at selected check-in desks, self-service kiosks, Emirates lounges and boarding gates. The technology uses facial recognition to help passengers move through participating airport touchpoints without repeatedly presenting travel documents.
Emirates has also invested heavily in expanding this infrastructure. In November 2025, the airline announced an AED 85 million investment to install more than 200 biometric-enabled cameras across Terminal 3.
The existing biometric network provides the foundation for Emirates’ broader move towards automated passenger processing.
What other technologies is Emirates developing?
The luggage robot is part of a wider Emirates Group programme covering robotics, artificial intelligence and automation.
The group has established a specialised robotics laboratory to develop projects across passenger operations, cargo and logistics.
ForsaTEK 2026 also highlighted other technology projects, including automated aircraft inspection work using drones. Emirates has previously showcased automation for cargo operations, including systems designed to measure pallet dimensions.
These projects show that Emirates is testing automation in areas beyond the passenger check-in counter.
The company has also been exploring artificial intelligence to better understand passenger preferences. According to Hamza, Emirates is looking at how historical customer information could help anticipate individual preferences, including food and beverage choices, during future journeys.
How could the Emirates luggage robot affect Dubai travellers?
The planned robot could reduce the number of manual steps involved in baggage drop for Emirates passengers.
For Dubai residents and international visitors travelling through Dubai International, the system could eventually make it possible to complete identification, baggage acceptance, weighing and tagging through one automated interaction.
The actual impact will depend on how Emirates deploys the technology.
The airline has not yet confirmed whether the robot will operate alongside staff, which passenger groups will be eligible or whether it will be available across Terminal 3.
For now, Emirates passengers can continue using the airline’s existing check-in, self-service and biometric facilities where available.
The Emirates luggage robot is another step in Dubai’s wider push towards smarter and more automated airport services.
For passengers, the main potential change is fewer separate steps during baggage drop. For Emirates, automation could help connect its existing biometric systems with physical baggage processing.
The project also shows how the airline is moving robotics beyond experimental demonstrations and towards practical airport operations.
Emirates Group reported AED 150.5 billion in revenue and AED 24.4 billion in profit before tax for the financial year ended March 31, 2026. The group also invested AED 17.9 billion in aircraft, facilities, equipment and technology during the year.
The next major milestone for the luggage robot is its planned Q1 2027 showcase and launch.
FAQs
Is the Emirates luggage robot available at Dubai airport now?
No. The luggage robot is still under development. Emirates is targeting a showcase and launch in the first quarter of 2027.
What will the Emirates luggage robot do?
The planned system will use facial recognition to identify passengers and is designed to accept, weigh and automatically tag their luggage.
Who announced the Emirates luggage robot?
Keenan Hamza, Vice President of Innovation and New Technologies at Emirates Group, disclosed details of the project during ForsaTEK 2026 in Dubai.
What is Emirates Sara robot?
Sara is Emirates’ robotic check-in assistant at the airline’s City Check-in and Travel Store in DIFC. It can match a passenger’s face with a scanned passport, complete check-in and direct the passenger towards baggage-drop facilities.
Does Emirates use biometric check-in at Dubai International?
Yes. Emirates offers biometric processing at selected points in Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, including participating check-in desks, self-service kiosks, lounges and boarding gates. Passenger registration and eligibility requirements apply.
Emirates is developing a luggage robot that could combine facial identification with baggage acceptance, weighing and tagging. The project is still under development, and Emirates is targeting the first quarter of 2027 for its showcase and launch. Further details on its airport deployment, passenger eligibility and operating process have not yet been disclosed.
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