Singapore-based deep tech startup QuikBot Technologies has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Canadian technology firm Illumia Labs to enable the safe and accountable deployment of Physical AI across airport terminals and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) environments.
The partnership aims to address one of the key barriers to scaling Physical AI in safety-critical settings: how autonomous systems are authorised, governed and audited when operating in the real world. Under the MOU, the companies will combine Illumia Labs’ expertise in digitising human operational knowledge with QuikBot’s governance and execution infrastructure for autonomous systems.
Governing Physical AI with Human Expertise
Illumia Labs captures real-world operator experience, workflows and exception handling into AI-ready digital playbooks. These are converted into structured domain models that reflect how humans actually work in complex operational environments.
QuikBot’s QuikSync platform then governs how Physical AI systems are permitted to act, determining what actions are allowed, where they can occur, and under what conditions. Operational decisions, sensor data and outcomes are logged continuously, creating a full audit trail for review and compliance.
By separating scenario intelligence from execution authority, the architecture is designed to be robot-agnostic. New robot types or automation systems can be onboarded under the same governance framework without redesigning operational logic, allowing heterogeneous fleets to operate consistently over time.
Airport Retail and Passenger Experience
One initial use case under the MOU focuses on airport retail and passenger experience. Airports often face a “retail gap” when passengers proceed directly to boarding gates and do not return to retail zones.
Under the partnership, autonomous mobile robots can bring retail and fulfilment services closer to passengers, including at or near boarding gates. Illumia Labs digitises retail workflows and exception scenarios, while QuikBot executes deliveries using its own autonomous robots within approved airport zones.
All activities are logged through QuikSync, giving airport operators visibility into performance, exceptions and service quality. The approach aims to increase non-aeronautical revenue while reducing passenger stress and freeing frontline staff for higher-value customer engagement.
Airside and MRO Logistics
The second use case targets airside and MRO logistics, where operations are highly regulated and time-sensitive. Illumia Labs encodes airside routes, safety rules, no-go zones and emergency scenarios based on real operator experience.
QuikBot’s autonomous robots then transport aircraft parts, tools, documents and equipment across engineering bays, hangars and aircraft stands under QuikSync’s governance. In the event of incidents or near-misses, operators can reconstruct what occurred and refine future procedures, supporting accountability and long-term safety improvements.
“Physical AI cannot scale safely without authority, traceability and accountability,” said Alan Ng, founder and chief executive of QuikBot Technologies. He added that combining human operational judgment with governed execution allows airports to adopt Physical AI while remaining firmly in control.
Illumia Labs co-founder and chief executive Alan Tay said the partnership allows human expertise to move beyond simulation into real-world execution, while maintaining safety and continuous improvement through audit and permissioning.
