Picture this: You’ve just checked in your luggage at the airport, and are craving a quick bite before boarding the flight. Should you stand in line to order a meal, enjoy it, and then rush to your boarding gate? Or save up on time by heading directly to the boarding gate? The right answer is neither! India’s first food delivery robot, operating out of a key airport in South India, will deliver a hot meal directly to your boarding gate. The future is here, and let’s tell you all about it!
Hyderabad Airport Has India’s 1st Food Delivery Robot At Domestic Terminal
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Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) is now India’s first airport to introduce a food delivery robot. As per a report by The Hindu, the robot currently parades on the F-level concourse of Hyderabad Airport’s domestic terminal. The futuristic delivery personnel bring meals and drinks to passengers between gates 101 and 124.
Eliminating the need to stand in long queues or rush to food outlets before boarding, the meals are brought to you right at your boarding gate. The AI-powered robot is a collaboration between Refresh 24 Seven and GMR. All passengers need to do after check-in is place their orders by scanning QR codes displayed at kiosks. The other option is to directly scan the code pasted on the robot itself as it travels along the gate area on a programmed loop.
Once scanned, passengers can get access to the digital menus of Refresh24Seven-operated outlets. This includes menus of restaurants like Pista House, United Kitchens of India and Minerva Coffee Shop. Next, passengers need to select their order and pay for it. After which, an OTP is sent to their registered mobile number.
The food delivery robot collects the food and drink from the restaurant, which are placed securely in its cabins. Moving through the airport, it makes its way to the boarding gate. Here, the passenger enters the OTP on the robot’s screen. This unlocks a compartment which contains the order. The OTPs ensure that multiple deliveries are stored securely and orderly in different compartments. Drink orders take about eight minutes, while food orders take 15 minutes.
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Get Food & Drinks Delivered Directly Boarding Gate Within Minutes
As they wait for their orders at the boarding gates of Hyderabad Airport, passengers receive real-time updates on their phones. This helps them track the robot’s movement from the kitchen to the gate. Hyderabad Airport has India’s first robot to be deployed at an airport. Currently delivering food to domestic passengers at select boarding gates during busy breakfast hours, its future plans are laid out.
Gradually, its services may be extended to more outlets, additional gates and eventually to Hyderabad Airport’s international terminal. With a 12-hour battery life, programmed with AI mapping and a remote-control backup, the futuristic robot already has fans amongst children. Many child travellers stop for a picture with their new AI friend. When encountered with obstacles on its path or unusual movement, it politely says, “Please excuse me, I have a delivery to make.”
Also Read: Bengaluru Engineer Creates Robot That Makes Dosas; Netizens Say, “Now Teach It To Make Them Round”
Hyderabad Airport’s first food delivery robot has already fascinated travellers. Will you get your meal delivered by a robot at your boarding gate next time?
Cover Image Courtesy: Instagram/ refresh_24seven
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First Published: September 21, 2025 10:27 AM