Kansai Airport Installs Robotic PCR Test System at KIX

Kansai Airports, which operates Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka International Airport (ITAMI), announced the installation of an automated PCR robotic system at Kansai International Airport (KIX) on May 20. Kansai Airports says the new system, scheduled to start operating this summer, uses robots placed inside a large cargo container to screen up to 2,500 PCR test samples per day.

The robotic PCR testing system, developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. for international travelers, will let passengers get tested on the day of their departure and obtain negative PCR certificates before check-in. The test is fully automatic and completes the processing in about 80 minutes using the real-time RT-PCR testing method that meets global standards.

Normally, PCR tests take about 3.5 hours to complete and present a high risk of infection for medical staff because the samples are processed manually. While medical staff will still collect samples, the introduction of robotics systems to the PCR testing process helps to minimize the number of persons needed to conduct such tests, which in turn reduces the possibility of contagion.

The rapid testing service at Kansai International Airport is expected to deliver a safe and healthy travel experience and, consequently, contribute to the recovery of future air travel demand.