Changi Airport Group (CAG) has announced it will be introducing a fleet of four autonomous baggage handling vehicles to perform operations at Changi Airport (SIN).
Trials were recently held to evaluate the resilience of Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug® unit at SIN, with the autonomous vehicle proving itself in a range of difficult climate situations such as wet weather, heat and humidity.
The unit performed several unique operations, including automated transfer of baggage containers and close quarter operations to aircraft on stand. The Auto-DollyTug® has proven its feasibility as a ground support aid, spending the last two years demonstrating the ability to manoeuvre on the apron whilst interacting with traditional ground service equipment (GSE).
Going forward, the next phase of trials will test the unit’s ability to effectively communicate through Aurrigo’s proprietary Auto-Connect® software, allowing for scheduled operation and monitoring during wide body flights.
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.
The Auto-DollyTug® touts features such as Aurrigo’s own sideways drive system, which allows the unit to maneuver directly sideways into confined spaces within baggage halls, as well as amongst GSE around the apron.
The new units are expected to arrive in Singapore over the next few months.
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.
