One of the UK’s leading providers of integrated airside systems has signed its first deal in the North East with Tees Valley Combined Authority (TCVA). The £0.9m contract will see Aurrigo International plc collaborate with Teesside International Airport to develop an autonomous baggage and passenger moving system that will improve operational efficiencies, reduce carbon footprint and provide an improved passenger experience.
Starting in mid-October, the company’s eight-seat Auto-Shuttle® will kick-off work to transport passengers directly from the aircraft steps to the terminal building. In early January 2026, Aurrigo will follow this by introducing the Auto-DollyTug® – a fully driverless vehicle designed to move cargo and baggage around airports.
Initially, the groundbreaking technology will start landside at the new Connected Autonomous Mobility Test centre on the airport campus, where it will be put through a rigorous testing regime before moving airside early next year. The work will include integrating into bulk-loaded operations, providing the ability for bulk baggage to be transported right to the aircraft hold loading team.
“We are really excited to bring our autonomous technology to the North East,” commented David Keene MBE, CEO of Aurrigo International plc. “Our Auto-Shuttle® and Auto-DollyTug®s are being deployed all across the world, but this will be the first time that we have integrated them together at a live airport…it’s a real sign of intent from Teesside International Airport and the Tees Valley Combined Authority.”
He continued: “There is no escaping the fact that the aviation world is accelerating its desire to reduce its environmental impact in line with Net Zero guidelines. Our driverless vehicles present a real-world ‘ready’ opportunity to not only take significant amount of carbon out of operations but also boost the speed and efficiency in which you can move passengers and bags airside in the process.”
Airport Managing Director Phil Forster added: “It’s an absolute pleasure to see Teesside Airport hosting more world-leading technology and chalking up another UK – and global – first. To have this technology in place early next year will mean bags will travel from check-in to plane even more seamlessly, and in an even greener way.
“It will also help us shape how we move passengers around Teesside in the future – and will likely have an impact on the whole aviation industry. We were first in the UK to install new security scanners to allow passengers to keep liquids and electronics in bags, and now we’re leading the world in driverless cargo and bag systems with Aurrigo.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Teesside is turning heads once again and showing the world how it’s done. This is another massive first for our airport, our region, and our people – proving once again that where Teesside leads, the world follows.
“Being first matters. It means jobs, investment, and putting us firmly on the global map for cutting-edge innovation. These vehicles arriving in just a couple of months’ time are a huge boost – and I’m excited to see them serving holidaymakers on our year-round flights in the New Year.”
Auto-DollyTug®, which is equipped with 360° obstacle detection and advanced situational awareness, carries a single Unit Load Device (ULD) that holds passenger baggage and cargo around airports. With Aurrigo’s patented sideways drive system, this innovative vehicle can manoeuvre directly sideways into confined spaces within the baggage hall and among ground service equipment (GSE) on the apron. Additionally, its 360-degree tank turn capabilities, and integrated robotic arms enable the tug to autonomously load and unload unit load devices (ULDs) with precision, streamlining operations.
It is currently in deployment at Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and at Zurich Airport in partnership with Swissport.
“We’ve never integrated Auto-DollyTug® and Auto-Shuttle® together airside, so Teesside will be delivering a global first,” added David. “The latter is a fantastic way of moving passengers or ground staff over short distances on agreed routes. There is no need for a driver, freeing up members of the team for other activities, and it is completely electric.”
For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.
One of the UK’s leading providers of transport technology solutions has reported a 34% increase in revenue, with ten of its autonomous vehicles now operating across the world. Aurrigo International plc, which employs more than 110 people at its Advanced Engineering Centre in Coventry and across technical offices in Canada, the US and Singapore, has seen sales for its last financial year hit £8.9m, This has been boosted by several commercial agreements with airports to deploy its digital simulation platform Auto-Sim® and its Auto-DollyTug® electric vehicle for moving luggage and cargo around terminals
Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® airside in Europe.
Aurrigo’s latest innovation Auto-Cargo.
Growth in its autonomous division (up 433%) was the real highlight of 2024 and this was supported by another strong performance in automotive, where the company continues to supply precision components and wiring harnesses to a host of car makers and tier 1s. The encouraging results provide the perfect platform for the firm to drive ongoing technology development, with a focus on expanding its footprint in aviation and to help airlines, airport and ground handling operators achieve improved efficiencies, better environmental performance and, importantly, an enhanced customer experience.
David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International, commented: “2024 was another year of real progress, supported by significant revenue growth in our autonomous division. Awareness around the benefits of autonomous technology across airside operations is growing rapidly, helping to support our progress and the long-term outlook for the business.
“Both our product and commercial teams have worked tirelessly this year to expand our customer base and improve and broaden our product range. With first mover advantage, a growing range of proof points and industry support, our go-to-market capability is stronger than ever.”
Aurrigo International has continued to make good progress in the new financial year, with Aviation Solutions B.V the latest deal to be announced. This has seen Auto-DollyTug® and Auto-Sim® formally approved to be marketed across its network of 60+ airports. Testing and validation are already underway at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and the focus now moves towards commercialising this proven technology to airports worldwide.
April also saw the global unveiling of Auto-Cargo® in Coventry. This is the company’s largest ever autonomous vehicle and can carry a total payload of 16,500kg, using precision automation, advanced obstacle detection, and real-time fleet coordination to optimise on-the-ground performance. Backed by funding from Innovate UK and CCAV, the new vehicle’s next stop is to move heavy cargo loads to and from aircraft at UPS’ hub at East Midlands Airport, the UK’s second largest cargo terminal.
David concluded: “Aurrigo has first-mover advantage in intelligent Ground Support Equipment (iGSE) and, when you combine this with our expansive technology offering and proof point delivery at seven airports globally, we are in an ideal position to capitalise on this emerging market opportunity.”
For further information, please visit www.aurrigo.com or follow the company across its social media channels.
Notice of Investor Presentation
David Keene, Chief Executive Officer, will host a presentation and Q&A relating to the Company’s results at 11:00am on Wednesday 21 May 2025. The presentation will enable existing and prospective investors the opportunity to listen to management discuss the Group’s full year results. Questions can be submitted pre-event via the Investor Meet Company dashboard up until 9:00am the day before the meeting or at any time during the live presentation.
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, Cincinnati and Ottawa, the Group has a 32+ year heritage designing and supplying automotive vehicle OEM’s with highly advanced, innovative product and system solutions.
For more information, please visit the Group’s website at www.aurrigo.com.
📰 Page 6 shines a spotlight on our Auto-Cargo solution — the world’s first autonomous, electric cargo dolly that’s reshaping airside logistics.
🎙️ And on pages 28–29, don’t miss a great interview with our CEO, Professor David Keene, diving into Aurrigo’s journey, vision, and the future of autonomous aviation technology.
Huge thanks to The Engineer UK team for the coverage and continued interest in innovation on the ramp!
Menu NEWS JASON FORD reports MAY 2025 Follow us at: @TheEngineerUK theengineeruk The Engineer UK The Engineer UK Read more online AEROSPACE * Royal Navy embarks heavy lift drones for ship-to-ship resupply logistics www.theengineer.CO.UK ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE * MindGlide AI tool tracks MS treatments Aurrigo International unveils autonomous heavy lift vehicle Autonomous handling of cargo will take place in a project with UPS urrigo International has stepped up its autonomous airside logistics solutions with Auto-Cargo, a fully electric, zero emission vehicle capable of carrying a total payload of 16,500kg.
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.
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)
