A study conducted by Market Research Future (MRFR) has revealed that the airport robot industry is estimated to expand exponentially between 2021 and 2027, with an annual growth rate of 16.8%.

The use of robots functioning thanks to the IA and IoT converts airports into “smart airports” because they are based on the use of intelligent systems such as sensors and devices configured for specific purposes in different areas in order to control, manage and plan their operation in a centralized digital environment.

Kansai security robot

The latest advancements include robots handling 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸-𝗶𝗻 procedures, performing security checks, cleaning, and even delivering food to passengers at airports.

We can already see this solution in different airports around the world:

𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗮:

PHL Food and Shops recently welcomed a new addition to their team at the Philadelphia International Airport, a Robot named Gita.

Standing 26 inches tall, this robot has the capacity to carry up to 18kg for a maximum of four hours, which is equivalent to 20 miles of walking, on a single charge.

Gita uses human-like manners as it moves through busy and crowded areas, delivering food orders to waiting passengers in airport lounges.

It is worth noting that PHL Food and Shops already had a contactless ordering system in place, enabling customers to place food orders with ease.

𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗶:

Designed by the Japanese security company Secom, the robots are 123cm in height and 84cm in width, weighing approximately 230kg.

With a maximum speed of 4km/h and an operating time of around 3 hours, these robots are not intended for high-speed pursuits, but they are equipped with various features that can alert security in case of a breach.

Each robot is equipped with a laser sensor, 360-degree camera, ultrasonic sensor, bumper sensor, warning functions, warning lamp, and warning voice.

The built-in laser sensor enables the robot to determine its location and perform 100% autonomous navigation within the airport terminal.

As the robot patrols its pre-mapped routes, it captures images of passengers and surroundings using its cameras.

Junichi Takahashi, Manager at the Kansai Airports Operation Centre, explains that the robot navigates while avoiding collisions with passengers and facilities using its motion sensors.

Once its patrol is complete, the robot stops at its designated position and continues to monitor the area.

𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗱:

Hamad International Airport in Qatar has adopted a security robot in the form of a scooter.

This scooter-shaped robot has multiple cameras that can monitor pulse rates, perform face recognition, and detect counterfeit credit cards and currencies to maintain security.

It also employs an algorithm to assess a passenger’s mood by detecting elevated body temperature, heart rate, and stress levels, to identify if a passenger is nervous or upset.

Heathrow:

At Heathrow Airport, cleaning robots equipped with UV light technology are employed in the terminals and lounges to disinfect surfaces and provide a sanitary environment for travelers.

UV light is known to effectively eliminate viruses and bacteria, ensuring passengers are in a safe and secure environment.

These robots have the ability to eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful pathogens by thoroughly cleaning any surface that may contain viruses or bacteria.- Mark Burgess, the Director of Process Improvement at Heathrow Airport.

The highly efficient UV-C light used by the robots can cover an area of 18,000 square meters in just two and a half hours.

As seen throughout the article, different types of cases and robots are already operating in different airports around the world.

This is only the beginning since a survey made by Deloitte revealed that only 12 percent of airport representatives reported that their organizations are very prepared to benefit from IoT applications.

The same study declares that the other 10 percent felt that they were not even exploring IoT yet. Thinger.io can help bring companies and the Internet of Things together, with a cloud IoT platform that operates without touching any type of code.

If you have an idea that you think you can develop further with IoT but do not know how you can arrange a meeting with one of our experts by clicking on the button below.