Huge boost for Britain as Germany calls in UK company to end airport strike chaos
Sehr gut! Now Germany gives British-made driverless airport tech enthusiastic seal of approval as all-electric luggage trolleys made in Coventry look set to bring an end to crippling airport union strikes.
British-made driverless luggage trolleys are set to be deployed at airports around the world after Germany said the technology was sehr gut!
Heavy suitcases are currently hauled from airport departure halls to the tarmac using diesel-spewing tugs.
But a new generation of airport baggage handling vehicles, designed, engineered and built by Coventry-based Aurrigo, has been given the seal approval at Stuttgart Airport.
It follows a £2.5m world-first deal to use the self-driving tech at Singapore Changi Airport and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in the US.
The latest demonstration provided a glimpse into the future of air cargo handling and how it can be optimised using autonomous equipment.
German Transport Minister Oliver Luksic said: “The demonstration clearly shows [it] makes a direct contribution to the advancement of freight handling on the airfield.
“The use of autonomous vehicles can make processes more efficient and safer. This is a crucial step towards a digital and interconnected air freight transport chain.”
The all-electric trolleys - known as Auto-Dolly Tugs - are available as driverless or manual and able to carry 1.5 tonnes and tow a further 7.5 tonnes of suitcases, saving time, space, costs and bypassing potential strikes.
The vehicle carries 30% more than a traditional diesel-powered tug set-up of the same overall length, while robotic arms allow the vehicle to autonomously load and unload.
Last summer travel to and from UK airports was marred by widespread disruption after airport security and baggage handling staff threatened a succession of walk-outs with unions rejoicing strikes would “bring all terminals and airline baggage handling to a standstill”.
Professor David Keene, chief executive of Aurrigo, said: “Our ability to lead the world in this autonomous technology has come from successful collaborations with a host of international partners.
“To have Mr Luksic on site to see the test firsthand was a massive honour, and the feedback we received for our pioneering innovation was extremely positive.”
The potential for the innovation is significant and has major implications for airports across the world.
Flights to and from every major UK hub were thrown into chaos last year after baggage handlers threatened strike action over pay and conditions.
But the zero-emission trucks could put an end to subsequent industrial action.
Benjamin Bierwirth, Professor for Controlling and Logistics at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, said: “I expect these vehicles to be in continuous operational use at major airports within the next five years.
“The tests demonstrate how autonomous vehicles can efficiently and precisely handle the transport of cargo containers, making handling more predictable and resilient even in times of skilled labour shortages. This marks a significant advancement in the industry and offers a promising outlook on the future of air cargo logistics.”
Orders from across the world come after a major boost last year when the company’s driverless shuttles were tested on the historic streets of Prague for the first time.
Aurrigo’s futuristic Auto-Shuttle replaced horse and cart in the Czech Republic capital - a major worldwide tourist destination - in what bosses described as a “major export win”.
