Gallery: COVID-Inspired Innovations From Disinfecting Robots To Contact Tracing Apps
Linda Blachly
ANA rolls out robotic baggage loading
Photo credit: ANAAll Nippon Airways (ANA) has become the first airline in Japan to use a robotic loader and to conduct unmanned tests of an automated towing tractor for baggage transportation. ANA conducted operational tests of its automated technology from Dec. 14-18, 2020, at Kyushu Saga International Airport. The tests of robotic technology were developed through a partnership with Toyota Industries and demonstrated the viability of advanced autonomous devices for use at airports. ANA will further accelerate its efforts to develop and commercialize “Simple & Smart” airport technologies to streamline for the operation of the airports of the future.
United, CDC partner on contract tracing initiatives
Photo credit: United AirlinesUnited Airlines, with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is rolling out a program to collect customer contact information for all international and domestic flights. During the check-in process, United customers will be prompted to voluntarily opt-in and provide contact information such as an email address, phone numbers and an address of where they will be once they reach their destination, details that were previously difficult for the CDC to obtain in real-time. This effort represents the airline industry's most comprehensive public health contact information collection program to date and the immediate access to the data will better support the CDC's efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and around the world. United’s program will roll out in phases beginning Dec. 16 with the voluntary collection of information for all international arrivals. In the weeks ahead, the airline will phase in domestic and international outbound departures.
Delta launches first contract tracing for travelers to US
Photo credit: Delta Air LinesDelta Air Lines is partnering with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep international customers informed of potential COVID-19 exposure through contact tracing. Along with nine global airline partners, the Atlanta-based airline said it is working with government agencies, health officials and aviation authorities to offer safer travel at every point in your journey. Beginning Dec. 15, Delta will become the first U.S. airline to ask customers traveling to the U.S. from an international location to voluntarily provide data to aid contact tracing and public health follow-up efforts. By connecting with customers more quickly and providing public health follow-up, health authorities can help reduce instances of potential exposure and slow the spread of the virus.
De Havilland Canada supports RAY robot to disinfect cabins
Photo credit: De Havilland Aircraft of CanadaDe Havilland Aircraft of Canada is providing support to Aero HygenX Inc. in the development and marketing of a new version of the autonomous robot, RAY that will be optimized for use on Dash 8 Series aircraft. Designed and manufactured by Aero HygenX in Canada, RAY delivers high-frequency ultraviolet-C (UVC) light to disinfect aircraft cabins between flights. This germicidal wavelength of light destroys up to 99.99% of pathogens—including the COVID-19 virus. The use of RAY would also reduce the need for frequent chemical-based disinfection that could potentially impact aircraft interior surfaces and sensitive equipment, and also leave residues that may come into contact with passengers and crew.
Embraer installs HEPA filters on ERJ145 aircraft
Photo credit: EmbraerEmbraer installed HEPA filters on its 50-seat ERJ145. The first kits for the first 70 aircraft should be delivered by mid-December.
LATAM Brasil rolls out UV-cleaning robot
Photo credit: LATAMLATAM Airlines Brasil has developed an autonomous robot for cleaning aircraft with ultraviolet (UV) light—a method that, combined with other hygiene procedures, eliminates up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on board. The prototype of the robot was 100% created by LATAM and the final tests and efficiency tests were carried out at the company’s maintenance center in São Carlos.
Delta installs LED antimicrobial lighting to lavatories
Photo credit: Delta Air LinesDelta Air Lines is adding an additional layer of antimicrobial protection to airplane lavatories to enhance cleanliness: LED lighting that will better protect customers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Through a partnership first announced at CES 2020 in January, the carrier is beginning installation of Vyv antimicrobial LED lighting above onboard lavatory sinks and countertops—known as a high-touch area on board. The light continually reduces the growth of bacteria within the lavatory.
Kaelis, COPPTECH partner on antimicrobial products
Image credit: KaelisOnboard product provider Kaelis partnered with biocide technology company COPPTECH to create onboard products that have antimicrobial protection that not only eliminates SARS-COV-2 virus (the cause of COVID-19) but also protects from infectious diseases, pathogenic microbes, bacteria, virus and fungi.
Aereos Interior Solutions integrates antimicrobial technology
Image credit: Aereos Interior SolutionsHigh-touch aircraft interior products manufactured by Aereos Interior Solutions now include integrated antimicrobial technology from BioCote. The company says it is the first time that antimicrobial technology, which permanently prevents the growth of a wide range of microbes—including bacteria, mold and some viruses—has been integrated into airplane interiors to provide an additional level of hygiene. When containing BioCote technology, Aereos Interior Solutions says its products are certified as greater than 99.8% effective against MRSA and E. coli.
Boeing, Far UV Technologies to launch ultraviolet wand
Image credit: BoeingBoeing entered into a patent and technology license with Missouri-based Far UV Technologies to manufacture a far ultraviolet (222nm) wand designed to sanitize airplane flight decks and interiors. Boeing designed and developed the technology as part of the company’s Confident Travel Initiative to support customers and enhance the safety and well-being of passengers and crew members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Far UV Technologies will produce and distribute the commercial wand, helping airlines and potentially others combat the coronavirus pandemic. The technology could be available for airlines by the end of 2020.
AmSafe produces sanitized seatbelts
Image credit: AmSafeAmSafe engineered, tested and produced a sanitized seatbelt that demonstrates a 99.9% reduction in viral/bacterial load. According to AmSafe, the seatbelts are embedded with silver-ions that provide over two years of protection for passengers and boast a 93% reduction in bacteria in the first 10 minutes of exposure. AmSafe said it has tested this new product at high usage cycles to verify its longevity, tolerance to cleaning with alcohol disinfectants and compliance to TSO C22G and TSO C114 requirements. “Airlines can maintain the same base part number as the original AmSafe restraint, allowing them to treat the change from a standard seatbelt to a sanitized seatbelt the same as merely changing the color,” AmSafe says.
Honeywell UV cabin system zaps viruses
Image credit: HoneywellHoneywell is one of the first few aerospace suppliers to introduce ultraviolet-C (UVC) lights for aviation application during the pandemic in the form of the UV Cabin System, a partnership with Dimer LLC. The UV Cabin System features two extendable arms, delivering UVC light on interior surfaces and a single operator can cover an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 in five to eight minutes. JetBlue Airways, Azul Airlines, and Qatar Airways are customers of the UV Cabin System.
Corsair tests antimicrobial film for tray tables
Image credit: AdhetecFrench leisure carrier Corsair signed a partnership with Adhetec, a specialist in high quality technical adhesive solutions, to test a new antimicrobial film on its tray tables. All the tray tables of the business, premium and economy class seats are equipped with a protective aeronautical film developed by Adhetec, which uses the natural and antimicrobial technology of its partner Pylote, a specialist in mineral and ceramic industrial chemistry. The whole Corsair fleet will progressively be equipped with the antimicrobial film.
KLM catering robot to produce meals
Image credit: KLMKLM Royal Dutch Airlines has put into operations a new robot to produce ICA M-class (economy class) meals at KLM Catering Services. KLM says the new robot system will reduce handling costs and make it easier to make meal tray adjustments. This will serve to reduce production costs while increasing flexibility and customer-centricity, making it easy to serve a wider array of products on different types of trays.
LAX offers contactless food ordering
Image credit: LAXPassengers traveling through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) can use their mobile device to order food & beverages from restaurants throughout the airport’s terminals, creating a tailored, contactless experience. The new service, LAXOrderNow.com, is a collaboration between Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield Airports (URW Airports) and Grab.
Transavia, Just Eat partnership launches first inflight meal delivery
Image credit: TransaviaAir France-KLM Group’s LCC Transavia partnered with Just Eat Takeaway.com to introduce “inflight delivery,” allowing passengers to order a meal of their choice for their flight. Passengers can order their favorite meal through Just Eat Takeaway.com up to one hour before their flight—from sushi to rendang and from salads to breakfast. The meal is freshly prepared by iFleat and delivered directly on board. The pilot program is in cooperation with Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and iFleat, a Dutch caterer.
DFW, 3Sixty partner to offer contactless retail delivery
Image credit: 3Sixty3Sixty Duty Free has partnered with airport e-commerce platform Grab to allow travelers at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) pre-order from a large range of travel-retail products, either for collection in-store or delivery to gate. The partnership will utilize Grab’s omnichannel expertise—which includes mobile marketplace, self-service kiosks and the ability to order at table in airports around the world—and will be available to both domestic and international passengers.
Lufthansa, Austrian test SKYdeals inflight shopping
Image credit: LufthansaLufthansa and Austrian Airlines are testing a new inflight shopping experience for passengers—via Internet on board (FlyNet). Guests will have free access to the SKYdeals shopping platform via the FlyNet portal with their mobile device during their flight within Germany and Europe. The platform is the first online marketplace on board for so-called “shoppertainment.” After passengers input their destination and flight route in the online marketplace, the SKYdeals Inflight Shopping platform offers a selection of products, each of which is related to the destination or the flight route. After online ordering and payment on board via the SKYdeals platform, customers can have the order delivered by post to their desired address.
Albany airport launches GE Wellness Trace App
Photo credit: GEAlbany International Airport, in collaboration with GE, have launched the first digitally focused airport aimed at demonstrating new technologies to make air travel safer in a post-pandemic world. The airport signed on as the launch customer for GE Aviation’s new Wellness Trace App, which the airport has been using to track COVID-19 cleaning protocols.
United teams up with Clorox Total 360 for terminal disinfectant
Photo credit: United AirlinesUnited Airlines is using the Clorox Total 360 System to disinfect terminals at 35 of the airline's busiest airports. This electrostatic spraying system is similar to the electrostatic spraying technology used onboard aircraft and will be used to spray surfaces in ticketing lobbies, terminals, gate rooms, employee spaces and United Club locations.
ELeather Group launches ‘Essence’ material
Photo credit: ELeatherELeather Group launched a new material, Essence, designed to meet the needs of the public spaces and transport markets and based on three key benefits: hygiene, softness and sustainability. ELeather materials have also been tested to ensure compatibility with the most commonly used sanitizers and are UVC certified by Dimer UVC Innovations in partnership with Honeywell.
Abu Dhabi airport trials ‘Smart Travel’ AI system
Photo credit: AUHAbu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) is trialing a new enhanced “Smart Travel” system, developed by Abu Dhabi Airports in partnership with ConvergentAI and powered by artificial intelligence (AI), to shorten queues and streamline processes throughout the airport to deliver a smoother and more seamless passenger experience. The new system employs big data, AI, and the rigorous modelling and assessment of passenger traffic to optimize a variety of processes across AUH from check-in and immigration counter staffing to passenger arrival and departure times. As a part of the ongoing trial, select passengers traveling with Etihad Airways will be informed of the optimal time for them to arrive at AUH. By staggering passenger arrivals, the new system will mitigate crowding, facilitate social distancing, and shorten queues.
JFKIAT T4 uses ABM EnhancedClean product
Image credit: ABMNew York John F. Kennedy International Airport Terminal 4 operator, JFKIAT, is using a new disinfectant, ABM’s EnhancedClean, to help fight the spread of COVID-19 and seasonal illnesses. EnhancedClean features consistent intervals of frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as door handles, railings and countertops, and broad disinfection measures with electrostatic sprayers—all delivered by certified disinfection specialists trained and equipped in these specialized methods.
As the aviation industry works to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and begins to recover, technology companies are doubling down efforts to innovate solutions to make air travel safer to boost passenger confidence.
