DAL-e (Drive you, Assist you, Link with you-experience) is an advanced humanoid customer service robot developed by Hyundai Motor Group. It features a compact, truncated humanoid-like body measuring 1,160 mm (height) x 600 mm (width) x 600 mm (depth) and weighs 80 kg, making it significantly lighter and more compact than many other service robots. DAL-e is equipped with state-of-the-art AI technologies including facial recognition, natural language processing, and a language-comprehension platform that enables smooth, automated communication with customers. It autonomously navigates showrooms and public spaces using omnidirectional four-wheel mobility, escorting visitors, providing information about products and services, and responding to verbal and touchscreen commands. DAL-e also features emotive arms and eyes to engage customers more naturally and can detect if visitors are not wearing masks, advising compliance in COVID-19 contexts. The robot connects wirelessly to large display screens to enhance presentations and offers interactive gestures. Since its pilot launch in a Hyundai showroom in Seoul, DAL-e has helped ease staff workload and improve customer experience, especially during busy periods and COVID-19 social distancing measures. Hyundai plans continuous updates based on pilot data and aims to expand DAL-e’s deployment to other Hyundai and Kia showrooms and various customer-facing environments.
