Aurrigo International lines up further growth after “potentially transformational moment”

6 Jan 2025, 07:58

Coventry-based autonomous vehicle technology firm Aurrigo International – which works with airports across the globe – is upbeat after a “strong trading year” and fundraising which it described as a “potentially transformational moment”.

Aurrigo’s technology is in deployment in six airports across the world, with the company in early-stage conversations with another 34 airports and 19 airlines

“A strong trading year was complemented even further with a share placing raise of £5.25m to finish 2024 – a potentially transformational moment for our business,” said chief executive David Keene. “The new investment will give us the cash injection required to scale-up production of our Auto-DollyTug, an all-electric autonomous vehicle designed to transform baggage and cargo handling operations at airports through improved safety, operational efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.”

Chief executive David Keene (image credit: Aurrigo International)

The cash injection will allow the platform to have 22 tugs in operation in 2025, potentially accelerate commercial sales timelines and enable the ‘go live’ moment with Auto-Cargo in partnership with UPS.

Keene said there will also be six live Auto-Sim contracts at international airports in the same period, which will “help new and existing clients build digital twins of activity so they can optimise performance”.

He added that Coventry “will continue to be the epicentre of advanced design and manufacture”. with the group expecting to “bolster the team here and in some of our international locations in the US, Canada and Singapore”.

“After 40 years of very few ground handling innovations, the aviation sector now appears to be ready for something new and we are already proving – airside – that our Auto-DollyTug vehicle and our Auto-Sim software can deliver cost savings, environmental improvements and a better passenger experience,” said Keene. “We fully expect airlines and airports to accelerate their determination to embrace what we are calling the move to ‘intelligent ground support equipment’ (iGSE)”.

The Auto-DollyTug (image credit: Aurrigo International)

Aurrigo International plc seals £5.25m share placing raise as it drives iGSE concept adoption

One of the world’s leading providers of smart airside solutions has capped a year of growth with a £5.25m share placing raise.  Aurrigo International plc, which has expanded deployments into multiple new countries, opened a US office, and sealed a second-phase deal with Changi International in the last twelve months will use the cash injection to scale production of its Auto-DollyTug®—all-electric autonomous baggage and cargo vehicles.

The investment will provide the platform to have 22 tugs in operation in 2025 and the ‘go live’ moment with Auto-Cargo®in partnership with UPS. There will also be four live Auto-Sim® contracts at international airports in the same period, which will help organisations build digital twins of activity so they can optimise performance.

David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International, commented: “This is a fantastic raise to finish the year and gives us the perfect platform to roll-out our iGSE (intelligent Ground Support Equipment) concept to the aviation world.

“We have early-stage engagement with 34 airports and 19 airlines, with eight customers now agreeing to use Auto-Sim®. The investment will ensure we can scale our production capabilities and teams to meet the growing demand for technology that we are now proving in the real world.”  He continued: “Unlike a lot of companies who just talk about the impact of their tech, we are actually delivering and will now need more engineering, software, manufacturing and supply chain staff, not to mention an increase in the number of specialists in our deployment teams.”

The CEO of Aurrigo International plc urged aviation industry stakeholders to embrace innovation and drive the evolution of ground support equipment earlier this year.  Professor David Keene emphasised the necessity for ground handlers to transition into a new paradigm he has coined as ‘iGSE’ – intelligent Ground Support Equipment.  His vision encompasses a suite of advanced, integrated technologies designed to enhance operational performance and streamline airside activities.

“By adopting smart airside solutions, the industry can reduce turnaround times, improve reliability, and significantly lower its environmental footprint,” continued David.  “Today’s aviation landscape demands that we step up our game. As we move into a new era of airside operations, it is imperative that we harness advanced technologies to improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The future belongs to those who will lead the charge in reimagining how ground handling is performed.”  Keene outlined several key areas where iGSE can make a profound impact, including:

Automation: Implementing automated systems to minimise human error and enhance operational speed.

Data Analytics: Leveraging real-time data to optimise resource allocation and improve decision-making processes.

Sustainability: Integrating eco-friendly practices into ground support operations to reduce emissions and support global sustainability goals.

For more information, see www.aurrigo.com

‘5-Star’ Aurrigo International claim Manufacturing in Action Award

(l-r) Aurrigo International’s Miles Garner (second from left) collects the ‘Manufacturing in Action’ Award

 Transforming the way baggage and cargo is moved around airports worldwide has helped Aurrigo International plc claim its fifth business award of 2024.

The smart airside solution provider was named as The Manufacturer MX Awards’ ‘Manufacturing in Action’ winner at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool last night in front of more than 500 industry people.

This latest title, awarded by The Manufacturer’s editorial team based on what they’ve seen throughout the year on site visits, is the culmination of a groundbreaking 12-months for the business, which has seen its all-electric autonomous Auto-DollyTug® take off with airports, including Changi, Cincinnati and Stuttgart.

In addition to the MX Award, Aurrigo International has also won innovation titles at the Air Cargo Awards, FTE Americas, ‘Made in the Midlands’ and the overall Insider ‘Made in the UK’ accolade.

Miles Garner, Sales & Marketing Director, picked up the latest prize in Liverpool: “We always knew we had technology that had the potential to change the aviation sector and, after years of design, development and build, we are now testing our Auto-DollyTug® and simulation software in the real world.

“This is making everyone sit up and take notice. We’re not talking about autonomy in three, five or ten-years’ time, we’re actually delivering it airside at several global airports with more trials set to be sealed shortly.”

He continued: “I think this is what has impressed judges, this and the fact we have used our innovation to more than double our UK workforce in Coventry to over 100 and opened international technical offices in the US and Singapore.”

With a combined heritage of over 50 years, The Manufacturer MX Awards are widely regarded as the gold standard in the manufacturing industry, recognising and celebrating both companies and individuals who are achieving amazing things.

Organised by The Manufacturer in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and with the support of this year’s sponsors, the competition is the only peer-reviewed and judged programme of its kind for UK manufacturing.

Grace Gilling, Managing Director of The Manufacturer, expressed her admiration for Aurrigo International, stating: “Our journalists visit some of the best manufacturing businesses in the UK, so the ‘Manufacturing in Action’ title is one of the most competitive ones to win.

“We have been following David and his team’s journey for many years and 2024 feels like the moment when the business and its outstanding technology matured into a real-world game-changer.

“Its innovation is beginning to ‘green’ and operationally improve airports globally and, importantly, it is being driven by the IP, skills and technical knowledge of its Advanced Engineering Centre in Coventry and its technical offices worldwide.”

For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.

Aurrigo checks-in to LAX with ‘Best New Transformative Concept’ Award at FTE Global

A new autonomous way of moving baggage and cargo around the world’s airports has been hailed as the ‘Best New Transformative Concept’ at a major travel conference.

Aurrigo International plc’s Auto-DollyTug®, a zero emission, all-electric baggage and cargo tractor, wrote its name among the aviation stars in Los Angeles yesterday when it won one of FTE Americas Innovate’s major awards.

A high-profile judging panel, which included Raza Ail (International Airlines Group),), Manuel Van Lijf (NLMTD) and Heathrow’s Steven Armitage, was impressed with the manoeuvrability of the vehicle and the forward-thinking approach to connect the automation from within the baggage hall through dop off underwing to a JCPL.

The robotic arms, which have never been seen on an airside tug before, along with demonstrated operational, cost and environmental benefits proved decisive when overcoming the strong challenge of Gameway, Foundations, DataArt and Kquika.

“This is another massive vote of confidence for our technology and how we are trying to implement one of the aviation sector’s biggest innovations for more than 40 years,” explained Aurrigo International’s Tenille Houston, who had to conduct a live pitch to the judges and event audience.

“Auto-DollyTug®, is one element of our vision to bring Intelligent Ground Support Equipment (iGSE) to the sector and this encompasses a suite of advanced, integrated technologies designed to enhance operational performance and streamline airside activities.”

She went on to add: “We are on a mission to help airports, airlines and ground handling operators leverage automation, data analytics and sustainable best practices to deliver an enhanced customer experience and a raft of operational efficiencies.

“Winning FTE Americas Best Transformative Concept proves that this is an offer the industry is looking for, and we will use this accolade to engage in more discussions with airports and to attract the most talented software and engineering professionals to our business.”

The FTE Americas Innovate Awards were part of the Future Travel Experience’s FTE Global 2024 event, labelled by many as the CES of the aviation world.

In addition to picking up one of the main awards, Aurrigo International also exhibited and took part in one of the most popular sessions of the three days focusing on ‘How do we leverage technology, innovation and new approaches to create Smart Ramp operations around the world?’

Professor David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, concluded: “It has been a fantastic October for the business, with the launch of our iGSE concept and the FTE prize coming just a week after we picked up the Innovation Product of the Year title at the Air Cargo News Awards.

“There is massive momentum behind what we are doing, and we are looking forward to expanding our operations in the UK, US and Singapore.”

For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.

 

Aurrigo’s smart airside solution wins global aviation prize with Auto-DollyTug® breakthrough

Thursday October 24th

Latest News from Aurrigo International plc

Alex Doisneau (Dnata) presents the award to Miles Garner (Aurrigo International plc)

New technology born in the UK has secured one of the aviation sector’s most prestigious awards at a high-profile event in London yesterday.

Aurrigo International plc, which employs over 100 people at its Advanced Engineering Centre on the outskirts of Coventry, rose above the competition from some of the biggest global names in the industry to win Air Cargo News’ Innovation Product of the Year.

Sponsored by Dubai-based Dnata, the accolade recognised the impact of the firm’s Auto-DollyTug®, a zero emission, all-electric, autonomous vehicle that can efficiently move baggage and cargo around airports.

Judges, who ranged from James Wyatt (Aeroconcept) and Brendan Sullivan (IATA) to Alexandra Herdman of Logistics UK, praised the company for implementing one of the biggest changes in the aviation industry for nearly 40 years and a breakthrough that has the potential to deliver cost, efficiency and environmental improvements.

Miles Garner, Sales & Marketing Director, picked up the award at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London in front of 250 people.

“The last twelve months have seen us make strong progress as a key player in smart airside solutions, with our Auto-DollyTugs now operational in six airports and a world first when Changi agreed to bring in a fleet of our four autonomous baggage handling vehicles to pilot under wing operations.

“This prize is the real icing on the cake. The Air Cargo News Awards is one of the biggest competitions in the sector and for us to win against superb innovations from AEROTUF, Asia Airfreight Terminal and Dronamics is a fantastic feeling.”

He continued: “We’ll definitely take this accolade forward and use it as part of ongoing discussions with different airports keen to embrace our new autonomous technology.”

Auto-DollyTug® is the result of extensive airside testing that has been fed into the latest model that utilises camera and LIDAR sensor technology and is powered by an all-electric powertrain.

Combining the utility of a baggage tractor and the unit load device (ULD) carrying capability of an airport dolly, it can carry one ULD on board while towing up to four ULDs in one go.

Other industry firsts include rotating in its own length using 360-degree tank turn capability and, using the groundbreaking sideways drive system, move directly sideways and slide into tight spaces in baggage halls and aircraft stands. This enables the swift delivery of a single ULD even when other GSE equipment is in place at the aircraft.

Maybe most impressive of all, Aurrigo’s auto-loading and release management system adds bi-directional robotic arms to the body to allow the vehicle to autonomously load and unload the ULD from itself. This provides the world’s first end-to-end autonomous solution.

Miles concluded: “These advancements will lead to a significant improvement in the utilisation of space in a baggage hall and the efficient movement of ULDs, which both equate to substantial cost savings, enhanced passenger flow and environmental wins across an airport. In some cases, we estimate that replacing a diesel tug with Auto-DollyTug® could deliver a 60% ‘green’ benefit.”

For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.

(l-r): Alex Doisneau (Dnata) presents the award to Miles Garner (Aurrigo International plc)

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