Singapore and Amsterdam airports trial AVs airside

Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands is testing electric self-driving buses, on a fixed, pre-programmed route to and from the apron, where aircraft park, for crew from KLM Cityhopper, to the main terminal.

Earlier this year, Schiphol conducted a successful initial trial of the self-driving buses from supplier Ohmio.

The new testing phase will take place at the apron, an even more complex setting, with simultaneous activity ranging from aircraft arriving and departing, to flight handling operations and airline crew transport.

“It’s great that we’ve been able to follow up on the trial with the self-driving buses so soon, said Jan Zekveld, Head of Innovation at Royal Schiphol Group. “We’re curious about the insights we’ll gain at this location, particularly because punctuality and safety are crucial on this route.”

The vehicle is equipped with sensors and special cameras and makes use of GPS to manoeuvre. The bus has a 360-degree view using LIDAR technology. This allows the vehicle to detect and move around objects located up to 30 metres away.

“We’re also curious how airline crew members experience self-driving transport,” Zekveld added. “This will help to build trust in the technology and potentially facilitates future integration of other self-driving vehicles.”

Singapore signs up for AV staff shuttle

The city-state’s Changi Airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to start a proof of concept on the use of autonomous buses to transport airport staff around Changi Airport’s airside.

The two-year partnership with SATS Airport Services will commence in the third-quarter of 2024, and will validate the self-driving capabilities of the autonomous bus to gain confidence of its operational and safety performance. Monitored by an on-board safety driver, the proof of concept will be conducted in two phases – the first phase in a sterile environment, before the second phase in the live operational environment.

“This initiative presents the opportunity to develop the operating model for autonomous bus deployment in a live environment and gather data and learnings in readiness to scale autonomous airside staff transport operations,” said Henry Low, Chief Operating Officer, SATS and CEO-designate SATS Singapore Hub.

The trial aims to test the seamless integration of autonomous buses into airport operations, raise workforce productivity, improve road safety and in the long term, optimise airside vehicle numbers to reduce congestion.

The trial complements other ongoing automation trials in Singapore, such as the use of autonomous vehicles for baggage transport and automated passenger loading bridges.

Main image: Royal Schiphol Group