 |
| A robot checks a traveler's body temperature at Incheon International Airport, Monday. / Courtesy of Incheon International Airport Corp. |
By Jun Ji-hye
Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) has adopted contactless body temperature checking systems using robots at Incheon International Airport, as part of efforts to expand the use of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and contain the spread of COVID-19.
The airport operator deployed contactless body temperature checking robots and interactive kiosks for a trial at departure halls for Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, Monday.
Four robots ― three at Terminal 1 and one at Terminal 2 ― have a thermal imaging camera to measure body temperature when a person approaches.
If the devices detect a high temperature they display a message recommending the passenger contact their airline.
The robots also dispense hand sanitizer.
IIAC installed two kiosks ― one each at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 ― aimed at checking the body temperature of travelers.
The devices issue a warning sound when they detect a high temperature.
The airport operator said it would continue to deploy a variety of smart devices using new technologies, noting that it planned for autonomous mobile robots capable of checking that passengers are wearing face masks to be introduced by the end of the year.
"We are working to introduce various smart services and upgrade airport operations designed to prevent travelers from spreading the virus," said IIAC President and CEO Koo Bon-hwan. "We will make Incheon International Airport a clean airport and lead the global airport business in the post-COVID-19 era."
On March 5, IIAC declared its goal to create a "COVID-19 free airport," implementing three-stage body temperate checks at the entrances of terminals, departure halls and boarding gates.
U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris visited the airport, March 11, to see how temperature checks on U.S.-bound passengers were conducted.
He praised the three-stage process as "the exemplar around the world," according to IIAC.
The ambassador wrote on Twitter later: "Terrific visit to Incheon Airport to see 1st-hand ROKG measures to combat COVID-19 & mgmt of travelers to USA. Impressed w/ROK's robust & comprehensive response efforts to limit the virus' spread. Thanks to all for the hard work."
