Hong Kong Using Robots to Kill Virus at Airport

To help keep travelers and airport staff safe, Hong Kong is turning to artificial intelligence. The country’s airport authority has deployed robots at Hong Kong International Airport to help make public and private areas virus free.

Two robots named Whiz and the Intelligent Sterilization Robot (ISR) have been working to make sure places like public toilets, staff rooms and other key areas around terminals are clean. The airport has been using three ISR units and five Whizz units around the clock.

ISR Robots Use UV and Air Sterilizer

The ISR robots use UV light and an air sterilizer to help kill germs. The tall robot’s head spins 360 degrees spraying disinfectant while bulbs on the body emit ultra-violet lights. UV light can destroy bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microbes by damaging their DNA and RNA. Many hospitals around the globe have been using UV robots in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Since UV light can be harmful to humans, the areas are cordoned-off from travelers doing the sterilization process. Officials said the robots are able to sterilize up to 99.99% of bacteria and viruses in the air and on object surfaces in about 10 minutes.

Whiz Robots Autonomously Vacuum Terminals

Whiz robots are autonomous vacuum sweepers that clean floors in airport terminals. Onboard sensors help the robots avoid any obstacles or people that may get in the way. They can be monitored and controlled remotely if need be. Along with keeping floors clean, Whiz robots help to supplement and free up human maintenance crews for other tasks.

“Apart from enhancing cleaning performance, robot “Whiz” also helps boost operational productivity as cleaners can be reallocated to other cleaning tasks, particularly those critical cleaning and disinfection tasks,” said an airport official.

Check out our articles on British Airways testing self-driving wheelchairs at JFK airport and 5 ways AI is helping to fight the coronavirus.