New Self-Driving Shuttle Trials in Milton Keynes: Advancing Autonomous Technology
New Self-Driving Shuttle Trials in Milton Keynes: Advancing Autonomous Technology - Motor Mouth
The Aurrigo Auto-DollyTug® autonomous electric baggage handling vehicle brings world first capabilities to aviation ground handling
Coventry, Friday 24th November: Aurrigo International PLC secures a contract with the Digital Testbed Cargo Project (DTAC) Consortium to trial the autonomous transport of cargo from the terminal to the deck of the aircraft. The programme will use an Aurrigo Auto-DollyTug autonomous, electric vehicle, which brings unprecedented manoeuvrability and utility to the aviation sector to improve efficiency and speed up aircraft turnaround times.
The subproject, which is funded by the Germany Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) and is carried out under the academic leadership of the Frauhofer IML (Institute for Material Flow and Logistics) and the Frankfurt University of Applied Science is part of the Digital Testbed Air Cargo (DTAC) project. The preparation work has already begun with Auto-DollyTug expected on the tarmac in March 2024.
Auto-DollyTug combines the utility of a baggage /cargo tractor, with the ULD carrying capability of an airport dolly, making a more flexible and space efficient vehicle. This means that a combination of an Auto-DollyTug and three trailers carries four ULDs or over 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.
Aurrigo CEO David Keene explains: “We are absolutely delighted to win this first deployment in Germany, following on from announcements we have made already in Singapore, USA, and the UK. This is an endorsement of our strategy to concentrate on aviation, a sector where there is a clear demand for autonomous, electric vehicles to reduce emissions, improve efficiency and allow for continued growth in volumes, despite a shortage of security cleared ground staff.”
The operational part of the project is for an initial four week period at the project test site in Stuttgart Airport, which is expected to start in March 2024. The German project follows on from successful testing at Changi Airport in Singapore with the Auto-DollyTug, which has been running since February 2022.
Coventry-based Aurrigo is a leading international provider of transport technology solutions. The group designs, engineers and manufactures electric autonomous vehicles and OEM products to the automotive and transport industries.
Aurrigo listed on AIM in September 2022, under challenging market conditions. The group raised £8m on admission, at a placing price of 48p. The success of the listing and fundraise is a testament to the group’s innovative technology and provides Aurrigo with a solid platform for growth. The IPO was identified as the best performing IPO of 2022.
Since floating, the group’s share price has increased 152% from 52.5p to 132.5p and its market cap has grown from £20m to £55.21m. Aurrigo has also continued to deliver on its key IPO objectives. In October 2022, the group signed an agreement with Changi Airport Group for the next phase of development of the Auto-Dolly, its innovative baggage transportation solution for airports, and this was shortly followed by a multi-year partnering agreement with Changi in February 2023.
ESG highlights: ESG is fundamental to Aurrigo’s mission and provides many opportunities to grow its business. The group is investing in reducing its carbon footprint and engaging in DEI initiatives including internships and in-house mentoring.
