Changi Airport Group (CAG) – a Headline Partner of FTE APEX Asia Expo, Singapore, 19-20 November 2024 – has agreed to bring in a fleet of four autonomous baggage handling vehicles to pilot underwing operations at Changi Airport, developed by Aurrigo, an exhibitor at the co-located FTE EMEA and FTE Ancillary & Retailing events, Dublin, 11-13 June 2024.
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 two years, the Auto-DollyTug has demonstrated its ability to manoeuvre on the apron while interacting with traditional ground service equipment (GSE).
Looking ahead, Phase 2B will focus on testing the Auto-DollyTug’s 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.
Poh Li San, Senior Vice President, Terminal 5 Specialised Systems at Changi Airport Group, said: “We look forward to trialling the fleet of four Auto-DollyTugs in Phase 2B and to validate our new concept of operations to support the turnaround of a wide-body flight together with our ground handlers.”
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 manoeuvre 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.
Professor David Keene, Chief Executive Officer, Aurrigo, also commented: “This is a milestone moment for the aviation sector and paves the way for the future adoption of our Auto-DollyTugs 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.”
