SATS Airport Services Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SATS Ltd (SATS), SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC), and Changi Airport Group (CAG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a proof of concept (POC) for using autonomous buses to transport airport staff around Changi Airport’s airside.
This initial two-year collaboration, co-funded under the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)’s Aviation Development Fund (ADF), aims to contribute to Singapore’s Smart Nation vision. This government initiative seeks to leverage technology to enhance various sectors, including health, transport, urban living, government services, and businesses.
Set to begin in the third quarter of 2024, the POC will assess the self-driving capabilities of the autonomous bus, focusing on its operational and safety performance. An on-board safety driver will monitor the trials, which will be conducted in two phases: the first in a sterile environment, followed by testing in a live operational setting.
This initiative is part of Changi Airport’s broader effort to automate routine driving tasks, allowing airside professionals to concentrate on more complex activities. The collaboration also aims to provide opportunities for job redesign and upskilling. The parties hope the POC will further the development and deployment of autonomous solutions to enhance airside manpower productivity.
Henry Low, Chief Operating Officer SATS and CEO-designate SATS Singapore Hub, stated: “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.”
He added, “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.”
SATS Group and its global affiliates are also investing in several POCs for autonomous guided vehicles, including trials of automated airside cargo transportation vehicles and automated forklifts in airport operations and cargo terminals in Europe.
Foo Kean Shuh, Executive Vice President Operations and Chief Sustainability Officer at SIA Engineering Company, expressed enthusiasm for the trial: “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 of operations to fulfil staff transportation needs at the airside.”
Yeo Kia Thye, Managing Director, Airport Operations Control at Changi Airport Group, remarked: “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 the use of autonomous vehicles for baggage transportation and automated Passenger Loading Bridge, to drive greater manpower productivity across our airport operations. We look forward to collaborating on further innovation trials towards our vision of an airport of the future.”
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