Aurrigo International has collaborated with International Airlines Group (IAG) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) for the deployment and demonstration of its autonomous baggage tractor, Auto-DollyTug®. 

The public-private sector partnership will see the initial deployment of one Auto-DollyTug in the 2024 Spring schedule, which includes British Airways flights between CVG and London. 

Auto-DollyTug is an electric, autonomous vehicle that combines the utility of a baggage tractor, with the ULD (unit load device) carrying capability of an airport dolly. This means that a combination of an Auto-DollyTug towing three trailers can carry four ULDs, which is 30 percent more than a traditional tug set-up of the same overall length. It incorporates robotic arms on the body, allowing the vehicle to autonomously load and unload a ULD itself, for a truly end-to-end autonomous operation. 

Aurrigo said there is clear demand for their technology as it is set to demonstrate its electric vehicles at airports in the UK, Europe, Asia and for the first time in the US this year.  The company has also rolled out Auto-Sim® software that creates a 3D digital twin to visualize operations and model the impact of new technologies such as electric and or autonomous vehicles. 

Candace McGraw, chief executive officer at CVG, looks forward to working with the company and IAG to identify potential solutions to many of the issues that aviation currently faces, including staffing shortages, safety, capacity and environmental concerns. 

“As one of the fastest-growing passenger and cargo hubs in the US and globally, CVG is always looking for innovative technologies to improve capacity and efficiency,” said McGraw. 

On successful completion of the demonstration through 2024, Aurrigo hopes this will lead to the expansion of additional vehicles throughout 2025.