CVG Airport embraces smart robotic floor scrubbers to manage growth

The Challenge

With a doubling of passenger traffic from 4.5 million to 9.1 million passengers annually, CVG transitioned to an around-the-clock operation. This meant housekeeping no longer had the luxury of cleaning while the airport was closed overnight, causing a severe strain on staff and resources. An initial attempt to pilot an alternative autonomous floor scrubber from a different vendor failed miserably; the engineering was inferior and the machine leaked constantly, creating complications around extra manpower, passenger safety, slip and fall concerns, and liability. This left the 120-strong housekeeping staff wary of welcoming another automated device.

The Solution

CVG leadership deployed Avidbots Neo, an autonomous floor-scrubbing robot built from the ground up for high-traffic public and commercial spaces. Neo uses cutting-edge AI, mapping algorithms, and vision sensors to safely deliver a high-quality, consistent clean with minimal human intervention. Avidbots technicians worked closely onsite with facilities personnel to map out cleaning plans (up to 750,000 ft²), define no-go/slow-down zones, and train staff across hardware, software, and maintenance. Rather than eliminating jobs, CVG used Neo alongside their existing staff to improve working conditions, turning traditional housekeeping into roles focused on the management, repair, and upkeep of advanced automated assets.