Market Trends of Airport Robots Industry
Airport Security Segment Dominates Market Share
Currently, the airport security segment has the highest share among all the segments. Airport security is one of the biggest concerns faced by airport officials worldwide. The rise in terrorism across the world has led to airport officials taking extra precautions and being highly focused on airport security. To prevent any unwanted incidents, airports around the world have taken a step further and have started the testing of autonomous robots, which is expected to help security officials provide adequate security at the airport.
For instance, airports, such as Hamad International Airport and La Guardia Airport, have started deploying security robots to provide the next level of airport security. The robots come equipped with an in-built facial recognition system, cameras, and sensors. They can measure pulse rate remotely and, thus, detect suspicious persons, credit cards, fake currencies, abandoned objects, and explosives without disturbing the passenger flow at the airport terminal. New upcoming airports are anticipated to be technology-oriented to streamline passenger traffic and ensure safety at critical junctures of the airport infrastructure. On this note, in December 2022, Knightscope Inc., a prominent creator of autonomous security robots, was awarded a contract to provide airport robots to an airport in New Jersey. More such contracts are anticipated to be awarded in the future.
Asia-Pacific to Register Highest Growth During the Forecast Period
The ongoing airport infrastructure development programs in Asia-Pacific outpace other regions, and the rapid increase in air passenger traffic has driven the adoption of smart technologies and automation, including airport robots.
China is one of the fastest-growing air travel markets. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), China is set to displace the US as the world’s largest aviation market by the mid-2020s. The rebalancing of China’s economy is likely to support strong passenger demand over the long term. For instance, in July 2021, Singapore Changi Airport deployed Avidbots Neo floor robot cleaners developed by Avidbots Corp. to enhance the productivity of their cleaning teams and reduce costs. The Avidbots Neo is a purpose-built floor scrubbing robot integrated with navigation technology, sensors, and software with elegant hardware.
Similarly, in June 2022, Coimbatore Airport in India undertook a trial project with AI-enabled robots for a six-month timeframe. During the same timeframe, Bengaluru International Airport also introduced ten AI-powered support robots to improve passenger experience. To improve its operations and customer experience, the Airport Authority of India utilized artificial intelligence (AI) enabled robots for the first time in Bangalore airport to facilitate its services for travelers. Such deployments render a positive outlook for market growth in the region.
