Autonomous buses set for trial run at Changi Airport

This collaboration is part of Changi Airport’s collective effort to automate routine driving tasks so that airside professionals can focus on more complex activities while presenting opportunities for job redesign and upskilling. The parties hope the POC will also encourage the wider development and deployment of autonomous solutions to improve airside manpower productivity.

“SATS is excited to partner CAG and SIAEC to trial the use of autonomous buses for airside staff transport with support from CAAS. 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, COO SATS and CEO-designate SATS Singapore Hub.

“This partnership furthers SATS Group’s vision of transforming aviation hub handling through digitalisation and automation, and we are proud to be an Automation@Changi partner to harness technology and contribute to Singapore’s Smart Nation journey,” said Low.

SATS Group and its global affiliate companies are also investing in several POCs of autonomous guided vehicles. This includes trials of automated airside cargo transportation vehicles and automated forklifts in airport operations and cargo terminals in Europe.

“SIA Engineering Company is excited to be part of this trial for an innovative bus service solution. As a member of the Changi Airport community, we are pleased to collaborate with SATS, CAG and CAAS to transform staff mobility at the airside. Advancing digitalisation and technology adoption is a key priority in SIAEC’s Continuous Improvement journey. Through seamless integration of autonomous buses into airport operations, we aim to raise workforce productivity, improve road safety and in the longer term optimise airside vehicle numbers to reduce congestion. This trial will allow us to understand technology aspects as well as future concept operations fulfilling staff transportation needs at the airside,” said Foo Kean Shuh, executive vice president operations and chief sustainability officer at SIA Engineering Company.

Yeo Kia Thye, managing director airport operations control at Changi Airport Group said: “CAG is excited to be on this innovation journey with our airport partners to trial the use of autonomous buses on the airside. This complements ongoing automation trials such as using autonomous vehicles for baggage transportation and automated Passenger Loading Bridge projects aimed at driving greater manpower productivity across our airport operations. We look forward collaborating on further innovation trials towards our vision an airport future.”