Key West International Airport is now being patrolled by a coronavirus-fighting robot. The robot emits high-intensity ultraviolet UV-C wavelength light that kills harmful pathogens in the air and on surfaces, and will patrol the airport’s interior spaces after hours.

Developed by UVD Robots, the robot is designed to remove 99.9 percent of pathogens, including COVID-19. Key West International Airport is among the first airports in the United States to receive one of the units. At nearly 6 feet tall and weighing more than 300 pounds, the robot can move autonomously once programmed and mapped. A human operator will ensure people are away from the spaces being sanitized and will monitor the robot’s progress via a tablet. The light emitted during the active disinfection cycle is so intense it can only be used when people are not present. A sensor will shut the light down if human presence is detected. According to officials, the robot can disinfect the airport’s interior in about 2.5 hours. Other protocols, like manual disinfection and masks, continue to be deployed.

“Passengers should know that as they travel to Key West International Airport and utilize the facilities here, we’ve made every effort possible against COVID-19 to protect passengers’ safety,” said Richard Strickland, director of airports for the Keys’ Monroe County. “And now, with the ultraviolet light robot that we have here, we’ll be able to step that up even another notch.”