Ottawa County Testing Out New Staffer: CORA the Robot

Court Press Release

November 14, 2018

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Ottawa County is Testing a New Team Member: CORA


Ottawa County is forging into the future, testing the first court robot greeter in the country. This week the 20th Circuit and the 58th District Courts welcomed CORA to the team at Ottawa County’s Grand Haven Courthouse. Through Friday, CORA will direct visitors around the courthouse, allow customers to search the court dockets, answer frequently asked questions, and provide information about the judges and referees in both English and Spanish. Along with her utility, CORA can also entertain you with a dance or take a selfie.

CORA is short for Court-Operated Robotic Assistant. CORA is also named for Ottawa County’s first female Probate Court judge, Hon. Cora VandeWater, who served Ottawa County from January 1, 1933 – December 31, 1948.  The robot's name was the result of a courthouse employee vote. 

The Courts worked with Advanced Robot Solutions to prepare CORA for her week of testing at the Grand Haven Courthouse. Advanced Robot Solutions has provided robots for other applications, such as in airports, hospitals, and trade shows, but CORA is the first they have designed and placed in a court setting.  

Robot