Considering the interconnectivity of our world, for some, air travel is a necessity. That said, with the pandemic, the more that travelers can physically distance, the better. For those at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, maintaining a safe distance from others is even easier with the use of a new robotic in-airport food delivery service.

A fleet of four-wheeled autonomous “Ottobots,” made my robotics company Ottonomy, has been integrated into the airport’s Concourse B area. At this time, travelers in this specific part of the airport can use a dedicated app to purchase food, beverages, or travel products from select stores located in other parts of the facility. Once they’ve placed their order, the staff at the relevant store put the item(s) into the cargo compartment of one of the Ottobots and send it on its delivery mission.

The robot uses a LiDar module and other sensors to make its way through the airport while avoiding obstacles and people. The robot also uses what Ottonomy refers to as a “contextual mobility navigation” system to situate itself within the facility. It has not yet been made public what this system entails, but other indoor navigation systems typically incorporate things like Bluetooth beacons, strategically placed camera-readable QR codes, and Wi-Fi signals.

The waiting customer can track their Ottobot in real-time through the app, which also notifies them when the robot has reached their location. The customer holds the order-specific QR code they are given when they complete their order next to the robot’s scanner, and in response the robot unlocks and opens the lid of its cargo compartment, revealing the customer’s purchase.

Late last year, a pilot project took place for a customer delivery system at the same airport. The Ottobots have been designed based on the user feedback from this project. Customer feedback from this iteration of the project will then be used to further expand and enhance the system for the future.