Aurrigo and Aviation Solutions join forces to commercialise autonomous baggage handling at airports

Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Aurrigo International plc, a leading international provider of transport technology solutions, is pleased to announce that its Auto-Dolly Tug® and Auto-Sim® solutions have been formally approved for recommendation to Aviation Solutions B. V. (Aviation Solutions) network of 60+ airports.

Aviation Solutions focuses on commercialising innovative technologies that have successfully passed rigorous testing at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. The partnership between the two companies was initially announced in April 2024 with the intention to roll out Aurrigo’s autonomous solutions. With testing under the Royal Schiphol Group contract now validated, the work begins to commercialise this proven technology to airports worldwide.

Marcel Stroop, Director of Go-to-Market, Aviation Solutions, commented: “Aurrigo International is a true front-runner in the field of autonomous ground handling technology. Our partnership marks an exciting milestone in our effort to bring proven innovations from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to across the world.

“We collaborate with partners and airports to innovate, faster. To be able to provide airports solutions we guarantee will work with a 100% confidence level. I’m very excited that Aurrigo is now also part of that movement.”

The relationship provides an opportunity to demonstrate the environmental, cost saving and performance benefits of Auto-DollyTug® at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol by Aviation Solutions to its partners across the globe, with over 65+ organisations already utilising their products.

The wider aviation sector is now being encouraged to learn how automated technologies can deliver new solutions to the sector. Professor David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo, added his support: “Auto-DollyTug® is arguably one of the biggest innovations to hit baggage and cargo handling for more than four decades and the aviation world is starting to take notice of what they can achieve through our autonomous vehicles and advanced technology.”

Auto-DollyTug® is an electric, autonomous baggage and cargo tractor that combines the functionality of a baggage tractor and airport dolly in one smart, compact vehicle.  Currently being tested at six global airports, it can rotate on the spot and move sideways using a unique sideways drive system. It also features bi-directional robotic arms that enable autonomous loading and unloading of unit load devices (ULDs), streamlining operations even in congested areas.

The company’s Auto-Sim® technology is proving equally popular, with its cutting-edge simulation software helping to model and optimise airside operations in a digital environment.It enables airports, airlines, and ground handlers to visualise the impact of introducing new technologies like charging infrastructure and/or autonomous vehicles in the virtual world.

Discover more on the groundbreaking work that Aviation Solutions and Aurrigo are doing at www.schiphol.nl/aurrigo.

Enquiries:

Aurrigo International plc
David Keene, Chief Executive Officer
Tenille Houston, VP Public Relations and Communications

 Aviation Solutions B.V.
Marcel Stroop, Director of Go-to-Market
Tim Vellema, Strategy Consultant

Helpful links:

www.aurrigo.com

www.schiphol.nl/aurrigo

About Aurrigo

Aurrigo International plc is an international designer and developer of fully integrated smart airside solutions for the aviation industry, including automated vehicles, systems and software.

The Group’s proprietary, award-winning autonomous technology and secure management system is supporting some of the world’s leading airports. Customers choose to partner with Aurrigo to transform their baggage and cargo handling operations, improving safety, operational efficiencies and meeting sustainability targets, while navigating growing passenger volumes, rising costs and increasing labour shortages.

Headquartered in Coventry, UK with offices in Singapore and Ottawa, the Group has a 30+ year heritage designing and supplying automotive vehicle manufacturers with highly advanced, innovative product and system solutions.

For more information, see www.aurrigo.com

 About Aviation Solutions – by Schiphol Group

As an independent company with long-term investment support from Schiphol Group, Aviation Solutions is well-positioned to deliver high-quality, reliable airport solutions on a global scale. Supported by a team of over 40+ aviation experts and scientists, Aviation Solutions has developed solutions such as Deep Turnaround and Travor, a cutting-edge software solutions tailored to modern airports.

Successful deployments of Aviation Solutions’ products include airports such as Hamad International, Schiphol Airport, Eindhoven Airport, Frankfurt Airport, and Athens International Airport, demonstrating the effectiveness and reliability in various operational contexts.

Aviation Solutions also works closely with the most innovative suppliers of Schiphol Group. Once they are guaranteed to deliver results, they are added to the portfolio so that other airports can benefit from them as well.

For more information, see Schiphol | Aviation Solutions.

Take Off Podcast – Episode 5 – Brian Cobb – From Pilot to Pilots at CVG Airport

🎙️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.

Episode 5 – Brian Cobb – From Pilot to Pilots at CVG Airport

🎙️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.

Aurrigo is launching a new podcast – Take Off!

We’re excited to introduce Take Off, our brand-new podcast series, where we dive into the world of innovation, innovation, and automation in the aviation and automotive industry. Join us as we chat with experts, explore cutting-edge developments, and discuss the future of smart ramp operations, autonomous vehicles, and more!

Check out our first episode featuring David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo, as he sets the stage for the series!

You can find the Aurrigo Take Off Podcast on these popular platforms; Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, iHeart Radio or wherever you find your podcasts.

LISTEN

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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