August 18, 2024
by
Jonathan Andrews
Three new technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the passenger experience will be trialled at Miami International Airport (MIA).
The solutions were selected as part of Miami-Dade Innovation Authority’s second Public Innovation Challenge and will begin testing in the third quarter of this year.
The winners include;
The innovation authority will invest US$100,000 in funding into each company to support testing their technology at the airport with the aim to scale these solutions to airports globally afterwards.
“As Miami-Dade County’s leading economic engine, MIA’s success profoundly influences the livelihoods of our local residents and businesses,” said Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade (pictured). “We are making historic investments to ensure our airport is future-ready in order to provide the highest level of service to our visitors and residents for generations to come. This innovation challenge advances our mission by partnering with visionary innovators to position MIA as a global leader in sustainability and innovation.”
The innovation authority, working in collaboration with the airport and the county’s innovation and economic development office, selected the winners from a competitive pool of 136 local and global technology companies after the challenge’s launch in December 2023.
The test programmes will be conducted during the next three months with the option to extend each to as long as 12 months.
Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer, Francesca de Quesada Covey, said: “By integrating cutting-edge technology and fostering cross-sector collaboration between our local government and innovators, we enhance the passenger experience and align with our core values of agile, solutions-oriented governance. This initiative not only advances our goal of creating a thriving, inclusive economy but also ensures Miami-Dade remains a global leader.”
Launched in 2023 with seed funding from Miami-Dade County, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Citadel Founder and CEO Ken Griffin, MDIA was founded with equal private, public, and philanthropic funding totalling US$9 million.
