TUI welcomes its first ever robotic humanoid employee

  • Pepper will be part of TUI Nordic´s Data and Machine Learning Team​
  • Robot Assistant has job description and personal goals – just as every TUI employee

The humanoid robot commonly known as “Pepper“ is the latest employee to be hired by TUI Nordic. Pepper, named Pepper 2E, will work as a Robot Assistant and be a part of TUI’s new Data Analytics and Machine Learning team. TUI is the first travel company in the world to incorporate robotics in this way.

Pepper with Group CEO Fritz Joussen and Alexander Huber, Managing Director TUI Nordics.

“Automation, AI and Robotics are important elements of TUI’s future. We already have some of the best specialists in this field and I am excited to see how Pepper 2E will contribute to our team. And most importantly, I hope he sparks curiosity and engagement with all of our TUI Nordic colleagues”, says Alexander Huber, Managing Director of TUI Nordic.

Pepper 2E started August 14th and will primarily be based in TUI’s Stockholm office. The humanoid robot has a detailed job description as well as set “personal” goals he will be evaluated on, just as any regular TUI employee. The main responsibility of the Robot Assistant is to inspire innovation, curiosity and technological pioneering. Furthermore, the Robot Assistant will help visitors as well as colleagues and external customers with everyday questions and problems.

Pepper with CEO Fritz Joussen and his new manager Christopher Riddersäter, Data Analytics and Machine Learning Lead at TUI Nordics.

Elke Eller, HR Director of TUI Group and Member of the Board says: "As TUI Group, we are shaping the future of travel in many areas. Employees like Pepper 2E can support our teams. At the same time they give us an impression of what the work of the future might look like. The “hiring” of Pepper 2E stands for curiosity about the future and openness for new technologies. These are important prerequisites for the success of the digital transformation of TUI. Välkommen, Pepper!”

As a true TUI employee, Pepper 2E will go through the usual steps of onboarding. He has a manager to report to and is member of a team that will incorporate him in their day-to-day tasks. He will spend the first few months hovering around the office getting to know the company and his new human colleagues.

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