Over the last few years, airports worldwide have undergone a silent yet profound revolution. Automation and robotics have gradually reshaped how airports operate, enhancing efficiency, safety, and the overall travel experience for millions of people in transit.
From automated check-in and security screening to robotic baggage handling systems, mechatronic technology is transforming airports into streamlined travel hubs capable of handling increasing volumes of passengers and cargo with unprecedented ease.
Factors driving the airport revolution
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts that passenger numbers will double to 8.2 billion by 2037. To accommodate this surge, airports must significantly enhance their capacity without proportionately increasing physical space or human resources.
Recent technological advancements have led to the development of advanced mechatronic systems capable of performing tasks traditionally handled by humans. This includes automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for cargo transport and autonomous robots for maintenance and customer service, setting new standards for efficiency and reliability.
Amidst this technology boom, economic pressures, like rising operational costs, have also prompted airports to embrace technology to reduce labour costs and enhance profitability.
Along with economic drivers, this technology is also helping airports address social safety concerns. Automation in touchless check-in, contactless payment, and autonomous cleaning has been adopted to enhance traveller safety and reduce contamination risks as passengers move between geographies.
Moreover, as digital-native generations start comprising a more significant proportion of travellers, the demand for high-tech, seamless experiences is growing. Automation and robotics meet these expectations and provide the convenience that traditional manual processes simply can't match.
5 airport automation companies evolving airport operations
Automation is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a current reality revamping airport operations on multiple fronts. Recent innovations in automated check-in, baggage drop-off systems, and passport control are already leading this transformation, promising to reshape the landscape of air travel as we know it.
Here are the airport automation companies developing innovative systems that allow passengers to handle processes themselves, resulting in faster processing and a smoother traveller experience.
1. SITA
SITA provides various solutions in self-service kiosks, automated border control gates, and baggage management systems. Its Smart Path solution, for example, uses facial recognition technology at check-in kiosks, bag-drop stations, and boarding gates. Passengers simply look into a camera to verify their identity, eliminating the need to present travel documents repetitively and streamlining the journey from the terminal entrance to the departure gate.
2. ICM
Now an Amadeus company, ICM has developed an easy-to-use and economically designed Auto Bag Drop (ABD) baggage handling system that enhances airport capacity and improves the passenger experience. These self-service units use 3D scanners to scan, identify, and sort baggage faster. Built-in intrusion detectors also reduce mishandling for improved security, and integrated biometric verification confirms baggage-owner identity without human intervention.
3. Vanderlande Industries
Vanderlande has pioneered a portfolio of baggage-handling systems that benefit airlines and passengers alike. Its end-to-end Bagflow solution allows passengers to tag and drop off their luggage in under a minute, freeing up airline staff to focus on more complex tasks and reducing queues at counters. By eliminating bottlenecks at baggage drop points, Vanderlande’s technology contributes to a more fluid airport environment.
4. Siemens Logistics
Siemens’ Logistics division offers automation solutions for baggage and cargo handling, passenger flow management, and security systems. Their automation platforms, including integrated digital software and hardware solutions, automate crucial steps in airport logistics for enhanced operational efficiency. They also boast a turnkey terminal solution, CapacityPlus, for a comprehensive and cost-effective full-service solution.
5. Pteris Global
An innovator in the logistics space, Pteris Global offers a wide range of airport logistics solutions, including baggage handling, explosive detection systems, and cargo handling automation. Additionally, the integration of robotics in their systems allows for automated sorting and security checks, which enhance overall airport safety and efficiency.
5 companies elevating air travel with airport robotics
Over the next two decades, robotics will become a central pillar of airport logistics and security. By taking on physically demanding and repetitive tasks that human workers once performed, robotics enhance operational efficiency, minimising the risk of injury and improving accuracy in processes where even minor errors can have significant repercussions.
Robotics technology is also transforming airport security. The ability to integrate sensors, cameras, and AI-driven analytics into robotic platforms means that airports can maintain a higher level of vigilance and threat detection in more ways than one.
These are the companies spearheading robotics in airports across terminal functions and services.
1. Avidbots
Specifically designed for transit and airport facilities, Avidbots’ floor-cleaning robots, Neo and Kas, are revolutionising airport cleanliness. Equipped with sensors that detect spills, dirt, or other hazards and address them autonomously, these cleaning robots are freeing up housekeeping teams to focus efforts on cleaning other areas in the terminal while giving addressing any passenger health and safety concerns.
2. SoftBank
Known for its humanoid robots like "Pepper", SoftBank Robotics provides robots that can assist with customer service and passenger guidance in spaces like restaurants, canteens, and throughout the terminal building. These robots enhance the passenger experience by providing a human-like interface for information dissemination, especially useful in multilingual settings. Pepper can also conduct basic health assessments on travellers, such as temperature checks, and provide health-related information in a friendly, non-intrusive manner, helping to meet passenger screening and health monitoring objectives.
3. Hitachi
Hitachi not only provides solutions for people and cargo flow management, including escalators, elevators, and automated transport systems, but also offers security robots for enhanced airport security. These robotic security personnel are capable of autonomously navigating crowded areas, monitoring for unusual activity, and sending real-time alerts to remote security teams.
4. ABB Robotics
With an extensive portfolio including robots, Autonomous Mobile Robots, and machine automation solutions, ABB provides robotic solutions for logistical tasks such as material handling and sorting. Their collaborative robots (cobots) can handle repetitive tasks such as loading baggage and cargo with precision, helping to increase efficiency and reduce the risk of injury associated with manual baggage handling.
5. KUKA
KUKA is known for its advanced robotic systems used in material handling and service robotics, including autonomous cleaning robots. Their service robots can streamline traveller assistance in areas such as airport retail stores or information desks. These robots help automate customer service functions, offering real-time information and reducing the need for human personnel in repetitive roles.
Conclusion
The innovations being delivered by these automation and robotics companies serving the aerospace are just the beginning. As digital transformation in airports gains momentum, converging existing systems with automation and robotics will drive airports to become far more efficient, secure, and passenger-centric.
As these technologies mature, airports will veer toward a future where technology doesn’t just support operations—it becomes the core of the passenger experience and the backbone of airport efficiency.
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