Before many travelers will be willing to fly again in large numbers, they will need to be reassured that public spaces can be effectively cleaned. Pratt Miller Mobility last month demonstrated its Large Area Autonomous Disinfecting vehicle at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich.

New Hudson, Mich.-based engineering and product development company Pratt Miller said its experience in motor sports enable its team to deliver ingenious solutions to its clients’ most challenging problems. Its mobility unit said it serves the full spectrum of the transportation industry, from the world’s largest automotive OEMs to start-ups and commercial trucks.

Pratt Miller develops electrostatic disinfectant spray

Pratt Miller Mobility said its Large Area Autonomous Disinfecting (LAAD) vehicle is not like other disinfection robots, which have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with UV lights and chemical sprays. The unit claimed that LAAD is the first of its kind to be deployed in the U.S.

The connected, electric, and autonomous disinfecting robot dispenses FDA-approved disinfecting materials through a multi-head electrostatic sprayer array. LAAD sprays disinfectant which travels through the air and adheres to surfaces for maximum virus protection, said the company. The autonomous platform can also monitor and verify coverage through the use of sensors and data analysis.

Michigan partnerships

The company worked with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and PlanetM, the state’s mobility initiative.

“The new technology from Pratt Miller is a great tool in our ‘Fly Safe. Fly Ford.’ campaign to restore confidence in the flying public,” stated Tory Richardson, CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. “We appreciate the partnership with Pratt Miller and support from the MEDC that enable us to test leading-edge technology to combat the spread of COVID-19.”

“This continues to build on the partnership between Pratt Miller and the state in delivering transportation solutions that reflect the leading-edge technology we aim to provide across all forms of mobility,” said Trevor Pawl, chief mobility officer of the state of Michigan’s Office of Future Mobility and Electrification. “Pratt Miller’s ability to pivot their product development capabilities in support of innovative solutions that fight the virus showcases the company’s expertise and the culture of innovation rooted here in Michigan. We’re thrilled to see this pilot off the ground and look forward to its successes.”

“At Pratt Miller, we provide solutions to complex mobility problems,” said Simon Dean, vice president of mobility and innovation. “COVID-19 has significantly disrupted the way the world moves. LAAD-V is one solution that will allow us to safely get back to business and our daily lives — and thanks to our partnership with MEDC and Gerald R. Ford Airport, we are one step closer.”