Pictoria Inc. Begins Installation of AI Character Guidance Service 'Picto STAND' at Tokachi Obihiro Airport

Pictoria Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Hayato Akedo, hereinafter "Pictoria"), which develops IP creation businesses utilizing technologies such as AI, and Hokkaido Airports Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chitose, Hokkaido) are pleased to announce the start of the installation of 'Picto STAND,' a guidance service utilizing AI avatars, at Tokachi Obihiro Airport.

Building on the knowledge gained from guidance services previously implemented at Kushiro Airport and Hakodate Airport, this initiative aims to provide a clearer and smoother guidance experience for customers using Tokachi Obihiro Airport. By offering multilingual information on airport facilities, transportation access, and surrounding tourism, the project seeks to balance improved user convenience with the Digital Transformation (DX) of guidance operations.

■ Installation Overview Location: General Information Counter, 1st Floor, Domestic Terminal Building, Tokachi Obihiro Airport Installation Period: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – Thursday, December 31, 2026 Provided Features: - Voice interaction with AI avatars: Providing facility guidance, transportation access, and surrounding tourism information. - Multi-device support: Rapid information retrieval via touch panel operation in addition to voice interaction. - Real-time integration: Displaying the day's flight arrival and departure information. - Multilingual support: Multilingual guidance available in 4 languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean).

■ Service Features With this service, customers can receive guidance in the following two ways, tailored to their needs.

1. "Voice Interaction" with the AI Avatar By speaking directly to the AI avatar displayed on the screen, users can receive detailed information, such as tourism info and facility guidance, through natural dialogue. It provides a new guidance experience via an approachable character.

2. Quick "Touch Panel Operation" When in a hurry or wanting to pinpoint specific information, users can instantly display and check standard information such as bus timetables and floor maps using on-screen button operations.

■ Objectives of Implementation - Responding to diversifying guidance needs and strengthening inbound support: To accommodate foreign tourists, particularly from South Korea where direct flights operate, the airport aims to strengthen its guidance operations, including multilingual support. - Alleviating labor shortages: By having AI handle a portion of the guidance tasks, the burden on staff will be reduced, addressing labor shortage issues.