PRESS RELEASE
July 5, 2019

Trial test of leading-edge vacuum robots hasbegun at KIX!
Kansai Airports is pleased to announce the trial operation of state-of-the-art robot vacuum
cleaners at Kansai International Airport (KIX).
This trial test comes as Kansai Airports targets to fully introduce the vacuum-type cleaners
to beef up a troop of the scrubbing-type cleaners that have already been up and cleaning
the terminal buildings. Capitalizing on rapidly-advancing robot technology, the company
aims at providing more comfortable and cleaner airport environment, all while improving
service quality through more effective allocation of human resources.
The autonomous vacuum robots, capable of cleaning floors and carpets in the terminalbuildings, come equipped with functions to help them detect and avoid obstacles as well as
memorize map and operational data. Users can monitor the operational status via a smart
phone or PC. With their excellent operational efficiency, the robots can keep on cleaning fornearly three straight hours on a single charge.
Kansai Airports is committed to actively introducing cutting-edge technologies in pursuit ofimproving the convenience of the airports and providing a comfortable and new travel
experience.

[Trial Test Outline]•Period:

From July 1 to July 31, 2019•

Location: International gate lounge, Terminal 1
Domestic gate lounge, Terminal 2•

Robot:AI cleaning robot ‘Whiz’ by Softbank Robotics Corporation•

Powered by its most advanced artificial intelligence•

Creates and memorizes map data•

Selects a cleaning route based on the surrounding
environment

Size:

Approx. 455mm (W) x 474mm (L) x 653mm (H)Weight: 30kg (excluding a battery)© SoftBank Robotics
The names and logos of Whiz and AI Cleaning PRO are either registered trademarks ortrademarks of Softbank Robotics Corporation.

Contact Information
Corporate Communications Planning & Administration
TEL: +81-72-455-2201

Kansai Airports was established by a consortium made up of VINCI Airports and ORIX Corporation as itscore members. Kansai Airports took over the operations of Kansai International Airport (“KIX”) and Osaka
International Airport (“ITAMI”) from New Kansai International Airport Company (“NKIAC”) and has been
operating the two airports since April 1, 2016.
Kansai Airports Kobe, Kansai Airports’ wholly-owned subsidiary, took over the operations of Kobe Airport(“KOBE”) from Kobe City and started its business as an operating company on April 1, 2018.
Under the concept of “One Kansai Airports Group”, Kansai Airports group strives to continuously improve
its services for all airport guests through appropriate investments and efficient operations, with safety andsecurity being the top priority. Kansai Airports group aims to maximize the potential of the three airports,
for the benefit of the communities they serve.
For more information, please visit：http://www.kansai-airports.co.jp/en/

Kansai Airports
Location

1-banchi, Senshu-kuko kita,
Izumisano-shi, Osaka

Shareholders

ORIX 40%,VINCI Airports 40%,
Other investors 20%1

Company
Representatives

Representative Director and CEO:Yoshiyuki Yamaya
Representative Director and Co-CEO: Benoit Rulleau

Business Scope

Operation and management services, etc. of Kansai International Airport and Osaka
International Airport

Kansai Airports Kobe
Location

1-ban, Kobe-kuko, Chuo-ku, Kobeshi, Hyogo

Shareholder

Kansai Airports 100％Company
Representatives

Representative Director and CEO: Yoshiyuki Yamaya
Representative Director and Co-CEO: Benoit RulleauBusiness Scope

Operation and management services, etc. of Kobe Airport

ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is an opportunistic, diversified, innovation-driven global
powerhouse with a proven track record of profitability. Established in 1964, ORIX at present operates adiverse portfolio of businesses in the operations, financial services, and investment spaces. ORIX’s highly
complementary business activities span industries including: energy, private equity, infrastructure,
automotive, ship and aircraft, real estate and retail financial services. ORIX has also spread its businessglobally by establishing locations in a total of 37 countries and regions across the world. Through its
business activities, ORIX has long been committed to corporate citizenship and environmental
sustainability. For more details, please visit our website: http://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/

VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development andoperation of 46 airports located in France, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Serbia, Cambodia,
Japan, the United States, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Chile and Brazil. Served by around 250 airlines,VINCI Airports' network handled 240 million passengers in 2018.
Through its expertise as a comprehensive integrator, VINCI Airports develops, finances, builds andoperates airports, leveraging its investment capability, international network and know-how to optimize
the management and performance of existing airport infrastructure, facility extensions and new-buildconstruction projects. In 2018, its annual revenue for managed activities amounted to €3.6 billion, forconsolidated revenue of €1.6 billion.
More comprehensive information is available on www.vinci-airports.com
1

ASICS Corporation; Iwatani Corporation; Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.; Obayashi Corporation; OMRON Corporation; The Kansai Electric Power Company,Incorporated; Kintetsu Group Holding Co., Ltd.; Keihan Holdings Co., Ltd.; Suntory Holdings Limited; JTB Corp.; Sekisui House, Ltd.; Daikin Industries, Ltd.;
Daiwa House Industry Co., Ltd.; Takenaka Corporation; Nankai Electric Railway Co., Ltd.; NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION;
Panasonic Corporation; Hankyu Hanshin Holdings, Inc.; Rengo Co., Ltd.; The Senshu Ikeda Bank, Ltd.; Kiyo Holdings, Inc.; The Bank of Kyoto, Ltd.; THESHIGA BANK，LTD.; The Nanto Bank, Ltd.; Nippon Life Insurance Company; Mizuho Bank, Ltd.; Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited; MUFG Bank, Ltd.;
Resona Bank, Limited; and the Private Finance Initiative Promotion Corporation of Japan.