In context
In mid-2023, airports were increasingly exploring autonomous solutions to enhance passenger experience and operational efficiency. Ottonomy, a startup specializing in contactless delivery robots, had just completed a successful proof of concept at Rome's Fiumicino airport, catching the attention of the airport's new venture capital arm.
What was reported
Aeroporti di Roma Ventures (ADR Ventures), the corporate venture capital arm of Aeroporti di Roma, made an initial investment in Ottonomy following a successful pilot at Fiumicino International Airport. The pilot was part of the 'Runway to the Future' accelerator program within the airport's Innovation Hub.
During the proof of concept, Ottonomy's autonomous robots, called Ottobots, traveled over 150 km within the terminals, completed deliveries with zero accidents, served more than 300 clients, and achieved an average delivery time of three minutes. Passengers could purchase retail items and have them delivered directly to their gate.
The investment is part of ADR's long-term strategy to integrate cutting-edge technology into airport operations. Ottonomy's CEO, Ritukar Vijay, noted the partnership includes a multiyear contract with ADR, positioning the collaboration at the forefront of enhancing travel experiences globally.
"Our first investment is an additional step towards building the airport of the future, which will be more autonomous and passenger-centric." — Emanuele Calà, President and CEO of ADR Ventures
Why it mattered
This investment signaled a growing trend of airports adopting autonomous service robots beyond mere trials, integrating them into long-term operational strategies. It demonstrated the viability of autonomous delivery in complex indoor environments and set a precedent for other airports and large facilities to follow, potentially accelerating the adoption of service robotics in the aviation industry and beyond.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2023-07-08 · “Ottonomy secures investment for its delivery robot from Rome airport”