Types of Autonomous Vehicles in Aviation

The deployment of autonomous vehicles in aviation spans various types, each serving specific functions to enhance airport operations, deliver great passenger experience and transform terminal operations.

In the previous article, titled, Revolutionizing Airport Operations with Autonomous Technology, we looked at the evolution of Autonomous Vehicle technology and the tech behind autonomous machines.

Today, lets delve a bit deeper into understanding various applications of autonomous technology in airports. Each type of autonomous vehicle brings specific benefits to airport operations, contributing to overall efficiency, safety, and sustainability. By integrating these vehicles, airports can create a more seamless and responsive operational environment.

Let us dive a little deeper into a few case studies and examples of how various airports around the world have explored the use of autonomous technology.

For the sake of better understanding, we will look at the applications from the following lenses:

Passenger experience focused: Both on the landside and inside the terminal buildings, AVs create opportunities for delivering exceptional passenger experience. From Autonomous passenger shuttles designed to transport passengers within airport premises, including between terminals, parking lots, and other facilities, to delivery of food, autonomous wheelchairs improving mobility, or even autonomous parking robots, airports offer a wide spectrum to build and mature autonomous tech for the future.

Terminal Operations: The use cases for AV technology range all the way from mobile check-in counters to autonomous cleaning of terminal buildings, to offering concierge services and boosting security and surveillance within the large confines of terminals at the airports. These AMRs can augment the human workforce offering 24x7 operations.

Ground Support & Airside Operations Vehicles: These vehicles are critical for handling the logistical demands of airports. Autonomous tugs, for instance, can be used to tow aircraft to and from gates, significantly reducing the need for human intervention. Baggage handlers, another essential type of ground support vehicle, can autonomously transport luggage from aircraft to terminals, ensuring efficient and error-free operations. These vehicles also perform critical tasks on the airside of airports, where aircraft movements take place. Autonomous runway inspection vehicles, for example, can continuously monitor runway conditions, identifying and reporting hazards in real-time. This capability ensures that runways remain safe for aircraft operations, reducing the risk of accidents. Autonomous aircraft towing vehicles can move aircraft between gates and runways efficiently, optimizing gate usage and reducing congestion.

Let us look at some case studies and various trials of AV technology at various airports around the world.

PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

Autonomous Shuttles

Christchurch airport piloted an autonomous, electric and 3D printed shuttle back in 2019 operating on a short loop in the plaza outside the terminal. Demonstrations were conducted by inviting public to use the buses on private roads around the airport with a view to gather insights to offer more possible uses across the airports in future.

Autonomous Valet Parking Robots

Following a trial involving 500 spaces, in operation for over a year, the outdoor robotic parking service developed by Stanley Robotics and VINCI Airports at Lyon Airport entered a new deployment phase. This development aims to enhance the quality of service for passengers and aligns with the airport's sustainable development goals. With the robotic valet system, passengers no longer need to search for a free space or locate their vehicle. After booking a parking space online, passengers drop off their vehicle in designated cabins and proceed to the terminals using a nearby shuttle bus. The robot parks the car in a secure area. Upon returning, passengers can pick up their vehicle from one of the cabins. It reduces land use and also has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions.

Guided Navigation Robots within Terminals

LG Electronics partnered with Incheon Airport, Seoul back in 2017 to put into trial service a number of Airport Guide Robots capable of being able to navigate complex environments and decipher the most efficient and effective path to accomplish tasks, making people’s lives easier at every touch-point. Equipped with LG’s voice recognition platform, the Airport Guide Robot could understand four different languages – Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.

Improved Mobility and Autonomous Food Delivery within Terminals

Banking on the mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) models worldwide, many airports have conducted trials of WHILL’s autonomous passenger mobility solution offering travellers with restricted mobility an option to book and navigate through the airport to their gate, and once arrived, hit “return,” allowing the Personal EV to return itself to the original docking station.

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG Airport) partnered with Ottonomy to launch one of the first autonomous robotic delivery of food, beverage and lifestyle products in an airport environment. Customers get status updates and a QR code on their phone. Scanning the code with the robot's camera opens the compartment to retrieve items. The delivery is contactless and fully autonomous.

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TERMINAL OPERATIONS

Concierge and Surveillance

Japan Airport Terminal Co.'s Haneda Robotics Lab conducted trials of various robots within a live airport setting, performing tasks such as luggage transportation and security risk identification. During the day, an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) guided visitors through the airport using a touch panel interface situated at the front. In the evening, it assumed the role of a security guard. Additionally, other AMRs, like Robocot—integrated with IBM’s AI technology, Watson—were tested. Visitors interacted with Robocot via touch panel or voice, and its conversation quality and simultaneous translation abilities were evaluated in four languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean.

Cleaning and Facility Management

Singapore’s Changi Airport has explored possible uses since 2016, for autonomous floor cleaning. This intelligent navigation system enhances cleaning efficiency and reduces the manpower required for maintaining terminal spaces. The autonomous cleaning robot, capable of memorizing up to 64 different routes, with detailed data on water usage, pad/brush pressure, speed, and vacuum power recorded every second along the cleaning path. As a service, these robots help maintain consistent quality levels at airport terminals, deliver excellent cleaning results, and increase productivity.

Vanderlande Industries' FLEET uses autonomous vehicle technology to replace traditional fixed conveyors and sorting systems in baggage handling. Each vehicle transports one bag, determining the best route through the airport and allowing for real-time tracking. This system improves the customer experience, easily adapts to varying passenger numbers, and consumes 50% less energy than conventional systems.

Mobile Check-in Kiosks

In Japan, SITA Lab introduced KATE, an intelligent robotic kiosk, at Kansai and Osaka International Airports. KATE autonomously navigates to congested areas to provide additional check-in services, enhancing passenger experience and efficiency. The AI-driven kiosk communicates with other kiosks to optimize placement and reduce waiting times. This innovation frees space for retail and dining, addressing capacity issues and improving passenger processing rates.

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GROUND SUPPORT and AIRSIDE OPERATIONS

The structured nature of airside operations has been shown to lend itself to autonomous operations, as demonstrated in these trials:

Perimeter Security and Monitoring

Honda showcased its electric autonomous work vehicle (AWV) at Toronto Pearson Airport to enhance airfield operations. The demonstration included an autonomous fence inspection, perimeter security analysis, aircraft equipment hauling, and baggage cart towing. Honda aims to commercialize the AWV and is seeking partners for future field tests in airfield operations. Edmonton Airport conducted a test of an autonomous all-terrain vehicle (ATV) designed to patrol the perimeter security fence. The vehicle was operated either remotely by humans or autonomously, using machine learning to perform its tasks. The autonomous ATV assisted in patrolling the perimeter fencing, detecting holes, identifying damage to the chain-link fence, and spotting human or animal activity.

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Baggage Handling

Changi Airport utilized four autonomous electric baggage vehicles from Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug fleet following successful phase 2A tests conducted over two years. These tests assessed the capability of automated loading and unloading under various weather conditions. The vehicle tasks were managed and monitored using Aurrigo’s Auto-Connect? software. The expanded fleet aimed to validate Changi’s new operations concept for widebody flight turnarounds. These vehicles can contribute significantly to improving the turnaround of wide-body flights, leading to efficiency savings, environmental benefits, and reducing labour shortages in the global aviation sector. Heathrow Airport has also tested automated loading and unloading with autonomous dollies to identify challenges and prepare for off-airport baggage handling.

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Autonomous Snowplows

Oslo Airport deployed a pilot of driverless snowplows in 2018, demonstrating leadership in the adaptation of such large machines for autonomous operation in wintry conditions

Winnipeg Airport pioneered the first use of autonomous snowplow technology in North America, specifically in low-visibility areas of the airport on pre-determined routes. The operator sets these routes and sends a signal to the vehicle, allowing it to operate unmanned to complete its tasks. While the pilots were conducted in low-risk airport areas, the next step would be expanding to other airport zones.

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Autonomous Tugs

Autonomous tugs can revolutionizing airport operations by automating the movement of aircraft for tasks like towing, repositioning, and pushback. These tugs, equipped with advanced sensors, GPS, and AI, navigate airside environments with precision, ensuring efficient and safe operations. For pushback operations, autonomous tugs eliminate the need for human drivers, reducing errors and improving consistency in aligning aircraft with taxiways. They can optimize routes, operate continuously, and integrate with air traffic control systems for seamless coordination. By minimizing fuel consumption and human intervention, autonomous tugs enhance turnaround times, reduce congestion, and support sustainable airside operations.

Let's look at other use cases which are possible with AV technology:

FOD Detection

Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on runways is a notable safety risk in aviation, capable of causing damage to aircraft during takeoff and landing. Traditional FOD detection methods involve manual inspections or stationary detection systems, which can be time-consuming and less effective in covering extensive areas quickly. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) present a potential solution for improving FOD detection at airports. Equipped with sensors such as high-resolution cameras, LiDAR, and radar, autonomous vehicles can patrol runways in real-time, identifying and locating small debris accurately. These AVs can operate continuously, regardless of weather conditions or the time of day, ensuring ongoing surveillance of the runway environment. When FOD is detected, the vehicle can alert airport operations teams immediately, providing precise location data for prompt removal. This approach minimizes runway downtime and improves operational efficiency and safety.

Material Movement at MRO Facilities

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are transforming material movement in Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations by streamlining the transportation of tools, parts, and components within and between MRO facilities. AVs can autonomously deliver critical aircraft parts, such as engines, landing gear, or avionics systems, directly to maintenance bays, ensuring technicians receive the necessary materials promptly. They can also transport specialized tools and hazardous materials, such as lubricants or cleaning agents, with precision and safety, reducing delays and manual handling risks. Additionally, AVs equipped with tracking systems can enhance inventory management by automating the movement of materials from storage areas to workstations. By optimizing these logistical workflows, AVs increase operational efficiency, minimize downtime, and enable MRO teams to focus on core maintenance tasks, ultimately reducing aircraft turnaround times.

FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Autonomous vehicles and systems have potential applications in airports, but it is important to monitor their adoption and share lessons learned. Every Airport and country that they operate in, are unique in their own ways bound by different regulatory compliances as well as market dynamics impacting the economic as well as social viability of autonomous operations.

Modifications to physical infrastructure will be required to facilitate access for autonomous vehicles to designated areas or facilities. Future airport planning and forecasting will play a critical role in this process. Additionally, effective communication with staff, passengers, and the public will be essential for successful implementation.

Automation should not be equated with the replacement of human workers. On the contrary, it is anticipated that automation will enable humans to assume a more proactive role within the airport environment, shifting their focus away from repetitive tasks towards customer engagement and problem-solving.

In the next article, we will look at some of the challenges and key considerations which are crucial for adoption of AVs in the aviation sector.

In case you want to read the first article in this series, please follow the link here.

Looking forward to hear your thoughts in comments on what more potential use cases do you foresee with Autonomous technology at the airports.