Changi Airport Group and Aurrigo Worldwide are collaborating to check the newest model of its electric-powered autonomous automobile, Auto-DollyTug, at Changi Airport.

Auto-DollyTug, which has new floor dealing with capabilities and is extra maneuverable, can be put by totally different eventualities to evaluate its effectivity and velocity in relation to plane turnaround occasions.

Combining the utility of a baggage tractor and the unit load machine (ULD) carrying functionality of an airport dolly, the newest Auto-DollyTug can rotate in its personal size and, utilizing the groundbreaking sideways drive system, transfer instantly sideways and slide into tight areas, enabling the swift supply of a single ULD even when different GSE gear is in place on the plane.

In an business first, the brand new Auto-DollyTug additionally options Aurrigo’s auto-loading and launch administration system that provides bi-directional robotic arms to the physique to permit the automobile to autonomously load and unload the ULD from itself.

Professor David Keene, CEO at Aurrigo, says: “Auto-DollyTug is the results of clear sheet of paper pondering, as we didn’t simply need a modified standard tractor that would tow some dollies to an space close to the plane with out a driver.

“Our know-how cannot solely carry a ULD on its physique, which maximises carrying capability with out growing the size of the prepare, it might probably additionally autonomously switch that ULD instantly on to a JCPL or Excessive Loader.”

He continued: “This degree of functionality has been made attainable by designing a automobile to be electrical and autonomous from day one. We’ve by no means constructed a diesel-powered airport automobile so we don’t must work across the compromises of a legacy GSE automobile product.

“This third technology of the Auto-DollyTug has been designed to include the expertise we now have gained from the intensive airside testing already carried out with our 2nd technology automobile at Changi Airport.”

The sooner variations of Auto-DollyTug have been on trial at Singapore Changi Airport since February 2022 (Annex 1).

This testing section gave Aurrigo the chance to deploy its autos in a stay airside surroundings and to push the boundaries of its know-how in a sizzling and humid local weather, the place excessive rain occasions are a frequent characteristic of airside operations.

Ms Poh Li San, senior vp, Terminal 5 Specialised Techniques at Changi Airport Group, added her help: “Changi Airport is exploring using totally different autos throughout the airport, particularly to automate airside operations.”

“The most recent Auto-DollyTug has made its airside debut at our airport and we look ahead to learning the way it handles the challenges of a dynamic airport surroundings.”