Changi Airport Group collaborates with Aurrigo to trial new autonomous baggage handling vehicle

The latest version of the Auto-DollyTug® will test additional capabilities to enhance ground-handling operations

SINGAPORE, 31 January 2024 – Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Aurrigo International plc (Aurrigo) are collaborating to test the latest version of its electric-powered autonomous vehicle, Auto-DollyTug®, at Changi Airport.

Auto-DollyTug®, which has new ground handling capabilities and is more maneuverable, will be put through different scenarios to assess its efficiency and speed when it comes to aircraft turnaround times.

Auto-DollyTug®, which has new ground handling capabilities and is more maneuverable, will be put through different scenarios to assess its efficiency and speed when it comes to aircraft turnaround times.

(Photo: Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® 3rd generation at Changi International Airport)

Combining the utility of a baggage tractor and the unit load device (ULD) carrying capability of an airport dolly, the latest Auto-DollyTug® can rotate in its own length and, using the groundbreaking sideways drive system, move directly sideways and slide into tight spaces, enabling the swift delivery of a single ULD even when other GSE equipment is in place at the aircraft.

In an industry first, the new Auto-DollyTug® also features Aurrigo’s auto-loading and release management system that adds bi-directional robotic arms to the body to allow the vehicle to autonomously load and unload the ULD from itself.

Professor David Keene, Chief Executive Officer at Aurrigo, explained: “Auto-DollyTug® is the result of clean sheet of paper thinking, as we didn’t just want a modified conventional tractor that could tow some dollies to an area near the aircraft  without a driver. Our technology can not only carry a ULD on its body, which maximises carrying capacity without increasing the length of the train, it can also autonomously transfer that ULD directly on to a JCPL or High Loader.”

He continued: “This level of capability has been made possible by designing a vehicle to be electric and autonomous from day one. We have never built a diesel-powered airport vehicle so we don’t have to work around the compromises of a legacy GSE vehicle product. This 3rd generation of the Auto-DollyTug® has been designed to incorporate the experience we have gained from the extensive airside testing already carried out with our 2nd generation vehicle at Changi Airport.”

The earlier versions of Auto-DollyTug® have been on trial at Singapore Changi Airport since February 2022 (Annex 1). This testing phase gave Aurrigo the opportunity to deploy its vehicles in a live airside environment and to push the limits of its technology in a hot and humid climate, where extreme rain events are a frequent feature of airside operations.

Ms Poh Li San, Senior Vice President, Terminal 5 Specialised Systems at Changi Airport Group, added her support: “Changi Airport is exploring the use of different vehicles across the airport, especially to automate airside operations.”

“The latest Auto-DollyTug® has made its airside debut at our airport and we look forward to studying how it handles the challenges of a dynamic airport environment.”

(Annex 1: Photo progression of technology shown at Changi International Airport)

For high resolution image, please download from here. Please credit the image to Changi Airport Group.

 

For more information, please contact:

Kris Mok (Ms) Aurrigo International PLC
+65 9640 2236
kris.mok@changiairport.com media@aurrigo.com  

 

 

  About Changi Airport Group

Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009.

As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services.  CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and, through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.

As one of Asia’s most connected international aviation hubs, Changi Airport links Singapore to some 150 cities globally, with close to 100 airlines operating more than 6,400 weekly flights.

Jewel Changi Airport, a multi-dimensional lifestyle destination, opened in April 2019, adding to Changi Airport’s shopping and dining offerings of more than 600 F&B and retail outlets across the airport. The world’s most awarded airport, Changi has won over 660 accolades for its consistent and excellent airport staff service, passenger experience and safety standards.

Follow Changi Airport on social media: Facebook | X | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Telegram | TikTok

 

About Aurrigo International plc

Aurrigo International plc is a leading international provider of transport technology solutions.

Headquartered in Coventry in the UK, it designs, engineers, manufactures and supplies autonomous vehicles and OEM products to the automotive and transport industries, particularly focusing on the world of aviation.

It is highly regarded as a specialist in autonomous and semi-autonomous technology solutions for the aviation, ground handling and cargo industries.

Aurrigo has developed six types of autonomous vehicle to date, which can be utilised to reduce costs, resolve operational issues, and tackle labour shortages, whilst also improving sustainability.

Aurrigo currently has three divisions; Automotive Technology, Autonomous Technology and Aviation Technology.

For more information, see www.aurrigo.com

Aurrigo International plc Commences Autonomous Baggage Handling Programme with IAG

Aurrigo International plc Commences Autonomous Baggage Handling Programme with International Airlines Group (IAG) at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

Aurrigo announces first deployment of its autonomous aviation vehicle, Auto-DollyTug®, in the USA with International Airlines Group

Coventry, United Kingdom, January 18th, 2024: Aurrigo International plc (Aurrigo) has commenced its programme with International Airlines Group (IAG), the parent company of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling and LEVEL, and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) for the deployment and demonstration of its autonomous baggage tractor, Auto-DollyTug®. 

(Photo: David Keene, CEO, Aurrigo; Candace McGraw, CEO, CVG; Greg Paton, VP-Below Wing Automation, IAG)

To mark the start of the partnership, the parties gathered at CVG, a leading airport in autonomous technology.

“This partnership is an important milestone for us as it will be our first aviation operation in the USA – a key target market. This year we will have our autonomous vehicles operating at airports in the UK, Europe, Asia and now the US, showing the clear demand there is in the aviation sector for our technology” said Aurrigo CEO, Professor David Keene. Prof. Keene continued “We’re pleased to be partnering with IAG beyond the UK and to be building a presence at a key international airport. We are demonstrating vehicles that are designed from the ground up to be electric and autonomous to provide substantial efficiency improvements in future ground handling operations.”

“As one of the fastest-growing passenger and cargo hubs in the US and globally, CVG is always looking for innovative technologies to improve capacity and efficiency,” said Candace McGraw, chief executive officer, CVG. “We look forward to working with Aurrigo and IAG to identify potential solutions to help address many of the issues that aviation currently faces: staffing shortages, safety, capacity and environmental concerns, among others.”

(Photo: Nick Ridler, Aurrigo; Hannah Meredith, CVG; Naashom Marx, CVG; Greg Paton, IAG; Dave Keene, Aurrigo; Candace McGraw, CVG; Brian Cobb, CVG; Dana Borschewski, Aurrigo; Lewis Girdwood, Aurrigo)

The meeting today marks the project kick off for an initial deployment of one Auto-DollyTug® scheduled for spring of 2024.  Ground-breaking technology such as this, brings collaboration across public and private sector, from the airport, airline and ground handlers integrating the technology to the region that it will benefit.

“As the Birthplace of Aviation, Ohioans are quick to welcome new technologies that improve air travel,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “The world is better connected to Greater Cincinnati than ever before, and Aurrigo’s decision to test their first autonomous baggage dollies in the United States at CVG will advance the airport’s efficiencies and strengthen the region’s economic competitiveness.”

“Aurrigo’s decision to bring its autonomous baggage vehicles to the United States for the first time demonstrates the valuable partnerships developed since British Airways launched round-trip service from Cincinnati to London last year,” said Jobs Ohio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “This new route, assisted through the JobsOhio Air Service Restoration Program and REDI Cincinnati, is attracting Aurrigo’s innovative products and services that will enhance CVG passengers’ travel experience.”

On successful completion of the demonstration through 2024, Aurrigo expects that this will lead to the expansion of additional vehicles throughout 2025.

Auto-Sim® is Aurrigo’s latest software that creates a 3D digital twin to visualize today’s operations and model the impact of new technologies such as electric and or autonomous vehicles.

Auto-DollyTug® is an all-electric, autonomous vehicle that combines the utility of a baggage tractor, with the ULD (Unit Load device) carrying capability of an airport dolly all in one, making a more flexible and space efficient vehicle. This means that a combination of an Auto-DollyTug® towing three trailers carry four ULDs, which is 30% more than a traditional tug set-up of the same overall length. Auto-DollyTug® incorporates robotic arms on the body, allowing the vehicle to autonomously load and unload a ULD itself, for a truly end-to-end autonomous operation.

ENDS

Enquiries:

Aurrigo International plc                                                          via media@aurrigo.com 

Full media assets and Aurrigo’s vehicles can be found HERE

About Aurrigo 

Aurrigo is a leading international provider of transport technology solutions. Headquartered in Coventry, UK, it designs, engineers, manufactures, and supplies autonomous vehicles and OEM products to the automotive and transport industries, particularly focusing on aviation. It is highly regarded as a specialist in autonomous and semi-autonomous technology solutions for the aviation, ground handling and cargo industries. Aurrigo has developed six types of autonomous vehicles to date, which can be utilised to reduce costs, resolve operational issues, and tackle labour shortages, whilst also improving sustainability. Aurrigo has three divisions, Automotive Technology, Autonomous Technology and Aviation Technology. For more information, see www.aurrigo.com

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