Walking through an airport can be overwhelming. The constant announcements, the maze of terminals and the urgency of catching your flight. It's a lot to handle. Now imagine experiencing all of this while navigating language barriers, sensory sensitivities, or simply needing a bit of extra support.
That's exactly the challenge we at Mantawise are helping Axxicom tackle with an innovative pilot program at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.
Meet Axi: The AI Voice Agent We Built for Real-World Impact
These months, passengers with reduced mobility passing through Schiphol can experience something quite remarkable. At Axxicom's assistance desk, there's a new helper on duty—Axi, an AI voice agent we developed specifically for airport assistance.
When we started this project, we knew the technology had to be invisible. No apps to download and no complicated interfaces. Just natural conversation. That's what makes AI voice agents so powerful in public spaces—they meet people where they are, speaking their language, responding to their actual needs.
The concept is beautifully simple. Passengers approach the assistance kiosk, speak to Axi in their preferred language (in this pilot, either one of the following languages: Dutch, English, Arabic, Spanish, Hindi, Mandarin, French or Turkish), and get immediate help. Need to know which gate you're departing from? Ask Axi. Confused about your departure time? Axi's got you covered. Want to submit a request for additional assistance? You can do that too, all through natural conversation.
Designing for Those Who Need It Most
Working with Axxicom Airport Caddy, we identified several sub-groups within the group of passengers with reduced mobility, who could particularly benefit from this voice-driven assistance:
Elderly travelers who might find traditional digital interfaces challenging but are completely comfortable having a conversation.
International passengers who speak different languages and struggle with written signage or information boards.
This is where our approach to AI voice agents really shines. We don't build technology for technology's sake—we build it to solve real human problems. Axi embodies the principles we discuss in our guide to using AI voice agents: it's available 24/7, could handle multiple interactions simultaneously, and delivers warm, respectful communication that makes every traveler feel valued.
Why Voice? Why Now?
At Mantawise, we've seen firsthand how AI voice agents are revolutionizing customer interactions across industries. Airports present unique challenges—diverse populations, time pressure, stress, language barriers. And there is a huge volume. Voice agents can handle that efficiently. They're patient, multilingual, and infinitely scalable. They don't get tired during rush hours or frustrated with repetitive questions.
But here's what matters most: they empower people. Axi isn't designed to shuttle travelers through the airport or make decisions for them. It provides information and support, enabling passengers to maintain their independence while having a reliable assistant when needed.
Part of a Bigger Vision
This pilot is part of Axxicom's broader exploration of smart technology at Schiphol.
For us at Mantawise, Axi represents something bigger too. It's proof that AI voice agents work in the real world, with real people, solving real problems. The customer service handling and multilingual support capabilities we've built into countless voice agents are now being tested in one of Europe's busiest airports.
The Human Touch in AI Assistance
What excites us most about this initiative is its focus on empowerment and accessibility. As we always emphasize when working with clients, the best AI voice agents don't replace human connection—they fill gaps where immediate, accessible help makes all the difference.
That's the sweet spot we're always aiming for: technology that doesn't announce itself with fanfare but simply works, quietly making life a little easier, a little less stressful, one conversation at a time.
The results from Schiphol will help us—and the entire industry—understand how to deploy AI voice agents more effectively in high-traffic environments where people need help the most.
Want to explore how AI voice agents could transform your business or service? We'd love to hear from you. At Mantawise, we specialize in building voice agents that actually work for real people in real situations.
Contact us if you want to learn more!