In a significant development from Miami-Dade County, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, together with local officials and leaders from the Miami-Dade County’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development (OIED), Miami International Airport (MIA), and the Miami-Dade Innovation Authority (MDIA), unveiled the victors of the second MDIA Public Innovation Challenge today. This initiative emphasizes enhancing customer service at MIA by introducing cutting-edge technologies aimed at improving the travel experience for both passengers and staff.

The event highlighted real-time demos of innovative solutions set to undergo trial runs at MIA until fall 2024. These include RouteMe, leveraging artificial intelligence for effortless airport navigation via a smartphone camera; Signapse from the United Kingdom, which employs Generative AI for converting text into sign language, thereby making digital signs accessible to Deaf travelers at MIA; and Mapsted, offering navigational maps with accessibility options and integration with smart devices.

As Miami-Dade County’s leading economic engine, MIA’s success profoundly influences the livelihoods of our local residents and businesses. We are making historic investments to ensure our airport is future-ready in order to provide the highest level of service to our visitors and residents for generations to come. This innovation challenge advances our mission by partnering with visionary innovators to position MIA as a global leader in sustainability and innovation.

Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava

From a competitive group of 136 tech firms worldwide, MDIA, in partnership with MIA and OIED, chose these innovators following the challenge’s launch in December 2023. Each selected company will receive $100,000 from MDIA to facilitate the testing of their technologies at MIA, aiming for potential global application in other airports. These test initiatives will span the next three months, with options to extend up to a year.

As one of the 10 most transited airports in the country and the largest gateway to our community, MIA provides the perfect environment in which to demonstrate that inclusive technology solutions and user-driven innovation are essential to elevating the travel experience. The winners of MDIA’s second Public Innovation Challenge have developed solutions that prioritize the needs of all passengers, including those travelers with different physical and hidden disabilities, to navigate the airport effectively and seamlessly.
Leigh-Ann A. Buchanan, President & CEO of MDIA

The Office of Innovation and Economic Development’s mission is to build a future-ready Miami-Dade by emphasizing equity, resilience, and innovation. The Public Innovation Challenge at Miami International Airport is a perfect example of this commitment. By integrating cutting-edge technology and fostering cross-sector collaboration between our local government and innovators, we enhance the passenger experience and align with our core values of agile, solutions-oriented governance. This initiative not only advances our goal of creating a thriving, inclusive economy but also ensures Miami-Dade remains a global leader.
Chief Innovation and Economic Development Officer Francesca de Quesada Covey

Additionally, MIA is propelling its Future Ready initiatives forward with the Modernization in Action Plan. This expansive plan, set to channel nearly $9 billion into upgrades and capital projects over the coming decade, includes major enhancements like restroom renovations, new boarding bridges, updated elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and the construction of a new parking facility and a four-star hotel, alongside comprehensive terminal renovations.

Founded in 2023 with initial funds from Miami-Dade County, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Ken Griffin of Citadel, MDIA was established with a unique blend of private, public, and philanthropic support totaling $9 million. This year, its first, MDIA has launched two of three planned innovation challenges, including a partnership with PortMiami focused on boosting cargo visibility—projects that align with its mission to tackle crucial local issues in health, housing, climate, transportation, and equitable access.

As America’s premier gateway for international cargo and a leading hub for international passengers, Miami International Airport is embarking on an ambitious $7 billion capital improvement venture, supplemented by $1.7 billion in maintenance enhancements. MIA is the top U.S. airport for flights to Latin America and the Caribbean, serving as a vital economic powerhouse for both Miami-Dade County and Florida. It generates an annual business revenue of $31.9 billion and attracts 60 percent of Florida’s international visitors each year.

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