Dubai-based airline Emirates has unveiled its latest innovation, the world's first robotic check-in assistant named Sara. The system is part of a new City Check-in and Travel Store that is set to launch in Dubai's financial district.

• Sara will match customers' faces with scanned passports, check passengers in, and guide them to the luggage drop area.
• The facility, which opened on Thursday, April 27, allows customers to drop their luggage as early as 24 hours and up to 4 hours before their flight, arriving at the airport at their leisure.
• Passengers can check in via self-check-in kiosks, at dedicated desks with Emirates agents, or with the help of Sara.
• The robot is equipped with facial recognition technology and can print boarding passes, making the check-in process more efficient. Sara is also portable and can move around to assist those who need help.
• Sources suggest that future iterations of Sara will also have arms that can transport luggage.