Tampa International Airport brings aviation innovation to MOSI

Tampa International Airport is taking its spirit of innovation beyond the terminal with a new interactive exhibit opening this week at the Museum of Science and Innovation (MOSI). Created in collaboration with Sotereon.AI, the exhibit introduces children and families to the history and future of aviation technology, from the world's first regularly scheduled commercial airline flight between St. Petersburg and Tampa to the Airport's groundbreaking automated people mover system, which helped set the standard for airports around the world.

The exhibit also gives visitors a hands-on look at how airports use LiDAR and artificial intelligence to monitor passenger flow, track wait times, and respond quickly when issues arise. Interactive displays let kids explore how the technology works while engaging with fun on-screen characters. Sotereon.AI helped develop and test the LiDAR solutions featured in the exhibit and donated equipment for display, while TPA's Information Technology team also contributed to the project.

For TPA's Manager of Emerging Technology, David Golden, the exhibit is about more than aviation history; it's about inspiration. "I hope kids get inspired," he said. "I hope they are inspired to be free thinking, innovative, and a positive impact on the community."