The trial is thought to be the first of its kind for any airport in the world and – if successful and scaled up – could lead to airfield transport needs being met from a much smaller pool of autonomous vehicles, reducing the need for such large vehicle fleets, reducing emissions and saving on costs.
If the technology is proven in an airfield environment and following further trials, this project may be the precursor to a range of other autonomous vehicles being used in airports, including aircraft push back tugs, passenger load bridges, baggage tugs and transportation buses.
Cathal Corcoran, chief information officer, Gatwick Airport, said: “This could be the start of widespread use of autonomous vehicles on airfields across the world. The new technology is a more efficient way to manage vehicles and could lead to a reduction in the number of vehicles required, their associated costs and harmful emissions.”
No passengers or aircraft will be involved in this trail, which will be limited to airside roads between the airport’s North and South terminals.
The trial will be run in partnership with Oxbotica – a company that develops software that enables vehicles to run autonomously without reliance on GPS or any other technology outside the vehicle. Oxbotica vehicles are also currently involved in other trials on UK roads and are currently developing a fleet of autonomous vehicles that will soon be running between Oxford and London.
Dr Graeme Smith, CEO of Oxbotica said: “Airports offer an incredibly interesting domain for our autonomous driving software.There is a huge diversity of vehicles, each with a very specific mission.The challenge of choreographing all of the activity around an individual plane, or in support of airport operations is immense and we look forward to working closely with Gatwick on this initial pilot.”
