🎙️Welcome back to the Take Off Podcast where we explore the innovations shaping the future of travel. This is Episode 5, and today, we’re diving into the cutting-edge world of airport technology—where automation, efficiency, and innovation are transforming the passenger experience like never before.
Joining us is Brian Cobb, a leader in aviation technology, to discuss the latest breakthroughs, including autonomous baggage handling, AI-driven airport operations, and what the future holds for seamless travel.
How close are we to a world where lost luggage is a thing of the past? What role will automation play in streamlining airport logistics? And what does this all mean for travelers and the aviation industry as a whole?
We’ve got answers. Stay tuned as we unpack the future of airports, right here on the Take Off Podcast.
🎙️Welcome back to the Take Off Podcast where we explore the innovations shaping the future of travel. This is Episode 5, and today, we’re diving into the cutting-edge world of airport technology-where automation, efficiency, and innovation are transforming the passenger experience like never before.
Royal Schiphol Group in collaboration with KLM is deploying a new self-driving baggage vehicle from Aurrigo International plc to help it optimise the separation of passenger baggage with long transfer times.
On an average day, Schiphol handles around 31,000 pieces of baggage from transferring passengers. Most of this luggage is processed in the morning, putting pressure on the baggage system and handling operations. KLM Baggage Services, together with Schiphol, ensures that all baggage reaches the right connection on time.
To transport baggage streams more efficiently, Schiphol is testing an electric, self-driving baggage vehicle supplied by Aurrigo. This autonomous vehicle transports luggage from passengers with long layovers from the aircraft to a temporary, secured storage location.
The first phase of the all-electric Auto-DollyTug® trial began in August last year, testing the route from the temporary baggage storage area to a secured storage location. At the appropriate time the autonomous vehicle then delivers the baggage to the baggage hall, where it can be entered into the system and further processed to the connecting fleet. During this time, the vehicle mapped the platform environment using 3D cameras and learned how to navigate independently. Step-by-step, various aspects were trialled, such as autonomously picking up and dropping off containers and maneuvering through the busy baggage hall.
Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug airside at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport
“Schiphol is committed to creating a more sustainable, emission-free ground operation. We are replacing our entire vehicle fleet with a connected network of autonomous, emission-free vehicles. By doing so we automate all related processes. Even in an autonomous ground operation, employees will continue to play a crucial role, with their work becoming more varied and supervisory.” commented Jan Zekveld, Senior Manager Innovation at Royal Schiphol Group.
The latest testing involves Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® operating on the pier, where it must navigate denser traffic. If this is successful, the test routes will be expanded, and eventually, the vehicle will be tested at aircraft stands by the end of 2025. The autonomous vehicle is equipped with LiDAR sensors and 360-degree cameras, enabling it to navigate safely among other traffic, brake in time, and maintain sufficient distance. For safety purposes, an Operator will always be present in the vehicle during the trial to intervene if necessary.
Professor David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, commented: “Working with forward-thinking partners like Schiphol and KLM to bring autonomous solutions to real-world aviation challenges is very exciting. “The work we are doing demonstrates a fantastic use case for our self-driving Auto-DollyTug®, showcasing how automation can enhance efficiency while supporting the workload for baggage handlers and easing pressure on airport systems. We’re proud to support Schiphol’s vision for a smarter, more sustainable future in ground operations.”
Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug on apron with KLM airplane taxing.
For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.
🌟 Episode 4 of Take Off is now live! 🎙️
✨ Title: Driven by Design: The Creative Vision Powering Aurrigo’s Innovation
🎧 Special Guest: Elliott Hawkins
🚀 What does it take to design autonomous vehicles that look like they’ve rolled straight out of the future? In this episode, we sit down with Aurrigo’s Chief Designer to explore the inspiration, creativity, and innovation behind our cutting-edge autonomous solutions. From sci-fi influences to real-world functionality, we dive into the artistic and engineering challenges of bringing these futuristic concepts to life.
🎥 Watch or 🎧 listen now on your favorite podcast platform or on our website here: EPISODE 4
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)
Changi Airport will see a fleet of four end-to-end autonomous electric baggage vehicles, using Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug®
Contract follows completion of the phase 2A testing of the Auto-DollyTug® conducted over 2 years to trial automated loading and unloading operations at aircraft stands in different weather conditions
Aurrigo’s Auto-Connect® fleet manager software platform will be used to schedule and monitor all vehicle tasks
The expanded fleet will be used to assess and validate Changi’s new concept of operations (CONOPS) to support the turnaround of a widebody flight
COVENTRY, UK 14 May 2024 – Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Aurrigo International plc have agreed to bring in a fleet of four autonomous baggage handling vehicles to pilot underwing operations at Changi Airport.
(Photo: Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® at Changi Airport in Singapore)
The recently concluded Phase 2A of the trial tested the Auto-DollyTug® at Changi Airport, showcasing its resilience in different conditions including wet weather, heat, humidity, alignment to airport equipment, automated transfer of baggage containers and close quarter operations to aircraft on stand. Over the course of the past 2 years, the Auto-DollyTug® has demonstrated its ability to maneuver on the apron while interacting with traditional ground service equipment (GSE).
Looking ahead, Phase 2B will focus on testing the Auto-DollyTugs’ fleet communication through Aurrigo’s Auto-Connect® platform, enabling them to be scheduled and monitored to support the turnaround of a wide body flight.
It is expected that this new generation of airport baggage handling vehicles, designed, engineered and built in the UK, will arrive in Singapore in the coming months. Beyond the concept validation phase, these vehicles will play a critical role in supporting the turnaround of wide-body flights to achieve efficiency savings, and environmental improvements and to alleviate labour shortages impacting the global aviation sector.
Professor David Keene, Chief Executive Officer at Aurrigo, commented: “This is a milestone moment for the aviation sector and paves the way for the future adoption of our Auto-DollyTug’s for servicing of live flights in the near term. Changi Airport Group have been exploring this technology with us since 2020 and the results of significant testing have given them the confidence to place this next contract with us.”
Efficiently turning around a wide-body flight demands seamless coordination among multiple stakeholders. Auto-DollyTug® introduces pioneering features that elevate efficiencies beyond the capabilities of today’s standard tow tractors. With Aurrigo’s patented sideways drive system, this innovative tractor can maneuver directly sideways into confined spaces within the baggage hall and amidst ground service equipment (GSE) on the apron. Additionally, its 360-degree tank turn capabilities and integrated robotic arms enable the vehicle to automatically load and unload unit load devices (ULDs) with precision, streamlining operations.
(Photo: Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® showcases its towing capabilities with baggage and cargo)
Ms Poh Li San, Senior Vice President, Terminal 5 Specialised Systems at Changi Airport Group, concluded: “We look forward to trialing the fleet of four Auto-DollyTugs in Phase 2B and to validate our new concept of operations to support the turnaround of a widebody flight together with our ground handlers.”
(Photo: Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® automatically unloads a ULD (Unit Load Device) onto a JCPL (High Loader)
For more information, please contact:
Aurrigo International PLC
media@aurrigo.com
About Aurrigo International plc
Aurrigo International plc is a leading international provider of smart airside solutions. Headquartered in Coventry in the UK, it designs, engineers, manufactures and supplies automated vehicles to the aviation industry for use in airside operations. It is highly regarded as a specialist in automated technology for the aviation, ground handling and cargo industries. Aurrigo has developed technology and vehicles which can be utilised to reduce costs, resolve operational issues, increase safety and tackle labour shortages, whilst also improving sustainability.
