• Changi Airport will see a fleet of four end-to-end autonomous electric baggage vehicles using Aurrigo’s Auto-DollyTug®
• The contract follows completion of the phase 2A testing of the Auto-DollyTug® conducted over 2 years to trial automated loading and unloading operations at aircraft stands in different weather conditions
• Aurrigo’s Auto-Connect® fleet manager software platform will be used to schedule and monitor all vehicle tasks
• The expanded fleet will be used to assess and validate Changi’s new concept of operations (CONOPS) to support the turnaround of a widebody flight

Changi Airport Group (CAG) and Aurrigo International plc have agreed to bring in a fleet of four autonomous baggage handling vehicles to pilot underwing operations at Changi Airport. 

The recently concluded Phase 2A of the trial tested the Auto-DollyTug® at Changi Airport, showcasing its resilience in different conditions, including wet weather, heat, humidity, alignment to airport equipment, automated transfer of baggage containers, and close quarter operations to aircraft on the stand. Over the course of the past 2 years, the Auto-DollyTug® has demonstrated its ability to maneuver on the apron while interacting with traditional ground service equipment (GSE). 

Looking ahead, Phase 2B will focus on testing the Auto-DollyTugs’ fleet communication through Aurrigo’s Auto-Connect® platform, enabling them to be scheduled and monitored to support the turnaround of a wide-body flight.

It is expected that this new generation of airport baggage handling vehicles, designed, engineered, and built in the UK, will arrive in Singapore in the coming months. Beyond the concept validation phase, these vehicles will play a critical role in supporting the turnaround of wide-body flights to achieve efficiency savings, environmental improvements and to alleviate labour shortages impacting the global aviation sector.

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.”

Efficiently turning around a wide-body flight demands seamless coordination among multiple stakeholders. Auto-DollyTug® introduces pioneering features that elevate efficiencies beyond the capabilities of today’s standard tow tractors. With Aurrigo’s patented sideways drive system, this innovative tractor can maneuver directly sideways into confined spaces within the baggage hall and amidst ground service equipment (GSE) on the apron. Additionally, its 360-degree tank turn capabilities and integrated robotic arms enable the vehicle to automatically load and unload unit load devices (ULDs) with precision, streamlining operations.

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.”