Abu Dhabi Airports implements robotic technology to combat COVID-19

Advanced Robotic Technology will be utilized by the Abu Dhabi Airports to ensure that Airport staff and passengers are free from COVID-19.

The organization has associated with the Tawazun Strategic Development Fund (TSDF) to launch the new unmanned ground vehicle called CoDi BOT UGV (designed and manufactured by UAE-based company Marakeb Technologies, an affiliate company of TSDF), for the disinfection of viruses including COVID-19.

The unmanned ground vehicle has been piloting the Abu Dhabi International Airport facility this month, scouting areas including staff and cargo facilities. The unit has been carrying out cabin sterilization processes on passenger aircraft as well.

“Working in close collaboration with Marakeb Technologies and Tawazun Strategic Development Fund, collectively we can reassure passengers and our frontline staff that we are taking every precautionary measure to ensure their safety against any virus threat now and in future,”

– Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, 

The unmanned unit, CoDi BOT UGV is created to be able to manage through the airplane cabin with special emphasis on ensuring aircraft cabins are kept clean and sterile. The vehicle warrants the safety of its operators through remote control capability, using real-time video and high-speed 4G data connection.

The UGVs will be operated in combination with the extensive range of preventative steps implemented at Abu Dhabi International Airport in response to COVID-19, including thermal screening, nasal swabbing, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, in line with the recommendations by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).