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Pittsburgh International Airport has become the first airport in the country to utilize ultraviolet light technology on its fleet of automated cleaning robots.

According to a press release, the airport said it was partnering with Carnegie Robotics to test the use of the ultraviolet light technology on its robots, which will kill microbes in the facility’s high traffic areas.

The airport said it is continuing to investigate how similar technology can be used on the handrails of escalators and moving walkways as well as on elevator buttons and other high-touch areas.

“Carnegie Robotics is thrilled to work with the Allegheny County Airport Authority to rapidly test and develop this technology, which was designed to combat health care associated infections such as C. Diff., MRSA and other resistant pathogens in medical facilities,” Daniel Beaven, Carnegie Robotics CFO, said in a press release. “I can’t overstate the importance of a motivated and competent user-partner to rapidly develop new technology.”

According to the airport, passenger traffic through Pittsburgh International has dropped more than 90% amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The airport hopes that by implementing this new cleaning technology that travelers can begin to feel safer while flying in or out of Pittsburgh.

“The health and safety of airport staff and the traveling public are always the top priorities,” Pittsburgh International Airport CEO Christina Cassotis said in the release. “We know that restoring confidence in travel is going to be key to the industry recovery. That’s why we’re partnering with world-leading Pittsburgh technology companies to help develop solutions.”