The Aero HygenX RAY robot is a compact, light-weight and self-navigating device which uses motion-sensing technology to navigate interior spaces — disinfecting surfaces quickly and safely using UVC light. RAY is a sustainable alternative to harmful chemicals and is emissions-free.

Avelo uses the RAY robots as part of its daily disinfection of its six Boeing Next-Generation (NG) 737 aircraft. Additionally, RAY is used to disinfect Avelo’s Crewmember (employee) workspaces at the airline’s West Coast base at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and its East Coast base at Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN). The aircraft and airport disinfection routine occurs every evening following the completion of each day’s flight operations.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines around the world have implemented enhanced cleaning procedures involving more frequent and deeper disinfection of aircraft. In most cases, these more stringent hygienic measures have necessitated the manual application of harsh chemical disinfectants and have prolonged the sanitization process. Additional disadvantages of chemical-based disinfection include the creation of surplus hazardous waste and the degradation of aircraft interior finishes.

Aero HygenX CEO Arash Mahin added, “We couldn’t be more excited to announce that America’sfirst new airline in nearly 15 years is utilizing RAY. Avelo’s partnership with Aero HygenX will enhance its aircraft and airport disinfection regiment, and exemplifies the airline’s commitment to safety, reliability and innovation. We look forward to growing with Avelo as they add aircraft, bases, Customers and Crewmembers in the future.”

A Game-Changing Solution
UVC technology has a long and proven history of effectively disinfecting surfaces, air and water in many other industries, including the healthcare, food / beverage and hospitality sectors. Aero HygenX is the first company to incorporate UVC disinfection technology into an autonomous robot solution for the transportation industry. In addition to commercial aircraft, RAY can be used to disinfect buses and trains.

RAY’s light-emitting technology safely destroys up to 99.9% of harmful pathogens in the air and on the surfaces of Avelo’s aircraft cabins, galleys, lavatories and flight decks – as well as in workspaces at the airline’s BUR and HVN bases. RAY’s automation technology enables the robots to be operated remotely by a single Crewmember — the previous manual chemical-based disinfection process required several Crewmembers to sanitize each aircraft. The time it takes to complete the disinfection of Avelo’s three 737-700s and its three 737-800s is also significantly reduced by using the RAY robot. Avelo has committed to adding nine additional 737 NG jetliners in 2022 — expanding its fleet to 15 aircraft.

RAY is connected to HygenXStream, a real-time digital platform which enables Avelo to monitor the health of RAY and gain access to valuable metrics that can assist with decision making for its operations.

There is significant science validating the effectiveness of UVC exposure to render pathogens — such as COVID-19 — inactive. UVC disinfection is a function of intensity over time. RAY’s smart functionality consistently delivers the perfect dose of UVC light to eliminate pathogens onboard an aircraft. At the same time, RAY moves unguided through the aircraft cabin eliminating the need for an Avelo Crewmember to be onboard while it’s in use.