Robots Assist with Airport Meal Delivery in Philadelphia

Feb. 23, 2021

PHL Food & Shops, the concessions program at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), is now piloting robotic delivery for food items through PHL’s contactless ordering program, OrderAtPHL.com.

Robotic delivery through OrderAtPHL.com is powered by AtYourGate and Piaggio Fast Forward, founded by the Piaggio Group, the Italian maker of Vespa, to provide gita robots to deliver passengers their favorite meals while they wait for their flights.

OrderAtPHL.com originally offered pickup and delivery options powered by AtYourGate post-security, but will begin to test robot-assisted delivery as a way to surprise and delight travelers on the go. OrderAtPHL.com with robot-assisted delivery provides an efficient way to get passengers and employees what they need safely and quickly following a seamless ordering experience.

"It’s exciting to offer a new, fun, and completely contactless delivery option for travelers at PHL," said Mel Hannah, vice president and general manager of MarketPlace PHL. "Robotic delivery through OrderAtPHL.com offers another way for our passengers and employees to get enticing airport eats and items right from their mobile devices."

"With businesses looking for more contactless experiences, gita took on a new role during COVID to move things within the airport environment for employees, vendors and travelers - hands-free. Gita is a hands-free way of moving materials around the airport and has cleared the path for contactless, digital, concierge services for travelers and to assist elsewhere in processes like food delivery with AtYourGate, luggage and cargo transport," explains Piaggio Fast Forward CEO, Greg Lynn.

The current list of participating eateries and retailers includes Auntie Anne’s, Bar Symon, Bud & Marilyn’s, California Pizza Kitchen, Chickie’s & Pete’s (four locations), Dunkin’ (Concourse D & D/E Connector), Duty-Free, Gachi, Geno’s Steaks, Jack Duggan’s, Jamba (two locations), Piattino Pizza, Smashburger (three locations) and Vino Volo.