Meet the innovative airport runway Roomba pioneered at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub

The first prototype of Airtrek robot on the left and the larger, redesigned Airtrek robot on the right created in the UC Groundfloor Makerspace at 1819 Innovation Hub. Photo/Diana Lara

Airtrek's founders initially joined the UC Venture Lab program at the 1819 Innovation Hub, where they took their concept from vision to reality. The Innovation Hub's resources - including the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace, equipped with top-tier tools and training facilities - enabled the team to build a prototype and refine its groundbreaking robot.

Airtrek also has secured multiple grants, including one from Main Street Ventures (MSV), a nonprofit partner inside the 1819 Innovation Hub. Known as the Entrepreneurial Launch Funding grant, MSV's support was instrumental in helping Airtrek find the resources needed to launch its startup.

This month, Airtrek won $55,000 in the "5 Across Entrepreneur Pitch Competition" in Lexington, Kentucky, hosted by Awesome Inc.

"Our partnership with the 1819 Innovation Hub gave us access to invaluable resources, funding and mentorship. Now, we're excited to bring this technology to airports nationwide," said Lee. "Airtrek is like a Roomba for aviation and aims to modernize outdated ground handling processes with autonomous technology."

The Airtrek robot demonstrates how it identifies, tracks and reports foreign debris in real time. Photo/Diana Lara

Airtrek's innovation leverages advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to identify debris and deliver a precise, automated, cost-effective solution for enhanced safety and efficiency. The robot autonomously supports critical ground handling tasks like aircraft marshaling and foreign object debris (FOD) management, creating a safer environment for both aircraft and personnel.

FOD damage costs the global aviation industry approximately $22.7 billion annually, according to a 2023 study by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. Airtrek Robotics' autonomous solution, powered by advanced sensors and AI, is designed to reduce these risks by detecting and removing debris with precision, efficiency and enhanced safety.

Huzefa Dossaji demonstrates the Airtrek robot to UC 1819 startup partner, Rob Richardson, Disrupt Now. Photo/Diana Lara

Following an intensive development phase, Airtrek Robotics earned a spot in the prestigious Ford Launchpad for Innovative Technologies and Entrepreneurship (FLITE) program, where it recently returned from a successful paid pilot demonstration at Gerald R. Ford International Airport near Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Partnering with Southwest Airlines and other key industry players, Airtrek showcased the robot in a real airport environment, underscoring its game-changing potential for tarmac safety and FOD management.

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