IAH is first U.S. airport to deploy TASKI robotic sweeper-scrubber combination

Four-machine fleet handles repetitive floor care so custodians can focus on work that needs a human touch.

Oct 30, 2026

Four robots are helping custodians keep floors clean at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), taking on repetitive work so employees can focus on restrooms, high-touch surfaces and immediate passenger needs.

The deployment makes IAH the first Texas airport to use TASKI robotic cleaning technology and the first U.S. airport to deploy the company’s combination of autonomous sweepers and scrubbers.

Houston Airports placed the four machines into operational use the week of Aug. 10.

“Maintaining 2.1 million square feet is a round-the-clock responsibility, and innovation helps us use every resource wisely,” said Cliff Price, general manager of IAH for Houston Airports. “These robots are not replacing our custodians. They are handling repetitive floor care so our employees can devote more time to work that requires human attention and immediate passenger needs.”

Each machine has an assignment suited to its size and capabilities:

One TASKI Phantas works in the security queue inside the Terminal E Ticketing Lobby. Designed for tighter spaces, the compact robot sweeps, vacuums, scrubs and dust-mops, with manufacturer-rated coverage of up to 7,535 square feet per hour.
One Ecobot 50 works on the Terminal E mezzanine level. It can scrub and dry up to 19,375 square feet per hour and can use diamond pads to clean and enhance the shine of the terrazzo flooring.
Two Ecobot 40 sweepers work in the Terminal D-West concourse. Each can sweep and vacuum up to 12,916 square feet of carpet or hard flooring per hour.

Those figures reflect manufacturer-rated productivity. Actual coverage varies with passenger traffic, floor type, cleaning mode and terminal conditions.

The machines work independently, but not without human oversight. Employees map and assign cleaning routes. The robots then use laser-based navigation, cameras and sensors to detect passengers, luggage and other obstacles and adjust their paths. Custodians oversee routing, performance and maintenance.

That division of labor leaves people responsible for the work that requires judgment and direct attention. Custodians clean restrooms multiple times daily and disinfect high-touch surfaces, including handrails, seating and tables, throughout the day. Service increases with passenger traffic.

Passengers also help identify where attention is needed. Digital feedback screens inside airport restrooms allow travelers to select a happy or sad face and submit comments. Negative ratings automatically trigger a prioritized custodial response.

Restroom technology The robots add to an established cleaning operation. During FIFA World Cup 2026, before the TASKI deployment, restrooms maintained by Houston Airports recorded about 1 million visits and earned a 94% positive passenger rating.

Houston Airports plans to expand the robotic fleet at IAH. Additional floor cleaning robots are budgeted for Terminals A, D and E and the airport Subway tunnel.