Can Airports Become Innovation Labs?

What if your airport was a living laboratory for innovation? Brian Cobb, Chief Innovation Officer at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), joins us to explore how CVG is using next-generation aviation technology to improve passenger experience, strengthen airport operations, and build a more resilient aviation ecosystem. From real-time TSA wait times and robotics testing to AI, autonomy, cybersecurity, and connected airport systems, Brian shares how CVG is reimagining what a modern airport can do. ------------------------------- Listen in as we sit down with Brian Cobb (  / brianpcobb  , to explore how CVG operates as a “city within a city,” deploying emerging technologies to improve passenger experience, strengthen operational resilience, and reimagine the modern airport. Discover how CVG is advancing innovation through real-time TSA wait times, robotics testing, and the growing role of AI, autonomy, and cybersecurity. Get even more insight as Brian takes the stage as keynote speaker (https://www.sae.org/events/aerotech/k...) at the 25th anniversary of AeroTech® (https://www.sae.org/events/aerotech) this June. He’ll explore what’s next for aviation innovation, from connected robotics and autonomous workflows to the standards and cross-industry collaboration needed to make it all work safely. To learn more and register, visit sae.org/events/aerotech (https://www.sae.org/events/aerotech). Episode 332 chapters: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:44 CVG Skunkworks Mindset 01:21 Reinventing After Dehub 03:16 Branding as a Business 04:35 TSA Wait Times Breakthrough 08:46 Measuring Improves Experience 10:54 Hunting Tech With Startups 13:41 Four Innovation Verticals 15:30 Perimeter Sensors and Badging 19:02 Scaling Tags to Robotics 22:27 Robot Wranglers and Standards 24:55 SAE AeroTech Keynote Preview 26:18 Why Airports Innovate Differently 28:45 AI and Computer Vision Ops 33:55 Cargo Hub Logistics Optimization 36:42 Futureproofing With Puzzle Pieces 39:26 Next Trends Automation Cyber Quantum 42:28 Final Takeaways and Thanks Subscribe to SAE's YouTube channel    / @saeinternational   ------------------------------- We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to [email protected]. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE International: Facebook:   / saeinternational   X: https://x.com/SAEIntl LinkedIn:   / sae-international   Instagram   / saeintl   Follow host Grayson Brulte: LinkedIn:   / graysonbrulte   X: https://x.com/gbrulte Instagram:   / gbrulte