San José airport pilots 'José,' an AI humanoid to assist travelers at Terminal B
San José Mineta International Airport has introduced “José,” an AI-powered humanoid assistant now on a four-month pilot assignment in Terminal B, testing whether robotics can ease travel headaches and improve customer service. Developed by Silicon Valley startup IntBot, José is designed to greet passengers, answer questions, deliver real-time updates, and autonomously navigate busy concourses.
In an email previewing the test, the airport referred to José as its “newest hire” and said the robot would be “singlehandedly running his own gate,” underscoring the hands-on role envisioned for the pilot. “By piloting IntBot, we’re exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance the passenger journey while reinforcing SJC’s role as the gateway to Silicon Valley,” said SJC Director of Aviation Mookie Patel.
Airport officials said the launch highlights San José’s position as a testing ground for emerging technologies aimed at improving the traveler experience. The timing is notable. Airports across the United States have faced long security lines and travel disruption, driven in part by many Transportation Security Administration workers not reporting to work during a partial government shutdown.
With TSA agents going unpaid at the height of the spring break season, some airports have struggled to maintain normal operations. SJC officials said the trial will evaluate how multimodal AI—combining vision, audio, and language—performs in real-world airport environments.
José’s deployment is part of a broader push to automate elements of the airport experience, from passenger assistance to information delivery. The airport said findings from the four-month pilot will inform whether and how similar technology could be used more widely to support travelers and staff in the future.