MEMS and Sensors

Using lidar-based AI analytics to boost airport operations

09 November 2023
Lidar is being used by The Indoor Lab at Tampa International Airport for telemetry data across the entire facility. Source: The Indoor Lab

An integrated perception partnership is underway between Tampa International Airport (TPA) in Florida, The Indoor Lab and Cepton Inc., a maker of lidar devices.

The deal involves deploying Cepton’s lidar technology to enable artificial intelligence (AI) analytics at the airport to bolster integrated, privacy-compliant perception solutions. Using lidar based on single sensing technology will provide round-the-clock operational analytics and leverage AI for both indoor and outdoor spaces, the companies said.

The project will be deployed by The Indoor Lab, a Blattner Technologies Company. The lidar system will monitor as a passenger gets dropped off at the airport, through going past security, boarding a plane and finally taking off. The services will allow for a safer and more productive experience for passengers, The Indoor Lab said.

Why lidar?

Lidar, which is primarily being used in the automotive sector to enable advanced driver assistance systems and automated driving, is increasingly being used where perception technology can enable an edge or improvement to existing services.

Lidar uses invisible light to scan environments without relying on external lighting sources. Unlike camera-based 2D computer vision technology, lidar-based AI analytics uses behavior-based, non-biometric data from high-resolution, real-time 3D images. This makes the sensor technology useful for privacy-sensitive venues like airports.

According to Cepton, the real-time perception capabilities of lidar can improve all aspects of airport operations. This includes:

  • Indoor crowd analytics
  • Staffing optimization
  • Cleanliness maintenance
  • Concession line management
  • TSA wait time management
  • Terminal safety
  • Real-time outdoor measurements

Additionally, lidar is impervious to lighting conditions or overhead mounting restrictions while providing a wide field of view at every point in the 3D cloud.

How it is deployed

The Indoor Lab will use Cepton lidar sensors in pickup and drop-off areas, at the terminals, in the airfield and at entrances. A global mesh network of sensors will be used to create lidar telemetry data cross the entire airport.

Using AI, the data will bolster operations including privacy and security.

To contact the author of this article, email PBrown@globalspec.com


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