Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is testing an AI-powered system designed to detect, locate and record foreign object debris (FOD) during routine airfield inspections.
The system, developed by Canadian company Illuminex AI, is being evaluated through PIT’s xBridge programme, which allows emerging technologies to be tested in operational airport environments.
FOD, including items such as rocks, litter and broken branches, can create hazards for aircraft and airport operations. The Federal Aviation Administration estimates that FOD costs the global aviation industry around 4 billion USD each year through aircraft damage and operational disruption.
Illuminex AI’s FODᴬᴵ system uses a camera and sensor mounted to the front of an inspection vehicle, alongside an embedded Nvidia computing system and router. A tablet installed in the vehicle allows inspectors to review detections during inspections.
The system uses computer vision and machine learning to identify FOD, record its location and log detections in real time. Critical detections can trigger alerts for inspectors to review on the tablet.
The system is being tested as an addition to, rather than a replacement for, existing manual inspection procedures.
Bill Calhoon, airport duty manager at the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA) said:Foreign object debris can pose serious risks to aircraft, so we’re always looking for ways to strengthen our airfield safety program. Testing this technology helps our Operations Team assess whether it can complement our existing inspection procedures by identifying debris faster and allowing us to respond before it becomes a hazard.
The partnership between PIT and Illuminex AI began in April and is scheduled to continue for approximately six months, with testing expected to conclude in late September or early October.
During the trial, the system is installed on an airport inspection vehicle and used at least twice a week as part of the inspector’s normal airfield inspection routine.
The operator starts the system before an inspection and stops it afterwards. Data collected during inspections is uploaded to Illuminex AI’s InspectEx Cloud platform, where it can be reviewed and analysed.
The platform is intended to help airports identify recurring sources of FOD and support maintenance activities, including repairs to pavement surfaces that may generate debris.
PIT’s Operations Team is providing feedback to Illuminex AI during the trial as the company assesses how the system performs under different operational conditions.
Brian Freed, CEO of Illuminex AI said:Pittsburgh International Airport’s xBridge program has been an outstanding partner in advancing FODᴬᴵ. By giving us a true operational environment to test and refine the system alongside their experienced Operations Team, PIT is helping ensure our solution meaningfully assists inspectors, and seamlessly integrates into existing operational processes. This kind of real-world collaboration is essential to building practical, human-centered technology that strengthens airfield safety and efficiency without disrupting existing processes. We’re grateful for the partnership and the shared commitment to safer airfields.
The trial forms part of ACAA’s xBridge programme, which works with early-stage companies to develop and test technologies, processes and systems for airport operations. The programme covers areas including operations, security, customer experience, sustainability and revenue generation.
Through the porgrame, the airport is assessing whether FODᴬᴵ can help inspectors identify potential hazards more quickly and reduce the time required for routine inspections.
The technology is also intended to provide operational data that can support preventative maintenance and analysis of recurring FOD.
Meanwhile, FODᴬᴵ is already being tested or deployed at several other airports, including Toronto Pearson International Airport, Columbus Municipal Airport, Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and Morristown Municipal Airport, as well as two unnamed global hub airports.
The company is using testing at multiple airports to assess how the system performs across different operating and environmental conditions.
For further information about Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal, listen to the latest episode of All Routes Considered, in interview with PIT CEO Christina Cassotis.
