Airports

Vanderlande and HKIA sign agreement to develop baggage solutions

Vanderlande has signed a landmark innovation partnership agreement with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to further develop and apply its future-proof baggage logistics solution – FLEET – in the real-world environment of one of the world’s busiest passenger airports.

The joint innovation partnership will focus on applying the latest autonomous vehicle technology in the baggage handling process at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) with regards to improving quality, efficiency and flexibility.

FLEET is the world leading baggage handling solution that is based on this technology. It has been designed to not only increase the quality and efficiency of baggage handling, but also seamlessly grow alongside an airport, match its operations, and allow it to adapt to changing regulations.

This collaborative program will allow Vanderlande to further develop the various application areas of FLEET and test these innovations in a live airport environment.

HKIA will benefit from being able to see at close hand how autonomous vehicles can help to further improve the efficiency of the baggage handling process, enhance ergonomic working conditions for ground staff and future-proof the airports’ baggage handling operations. The first FLEET trial application is expected to go live at the airport in March 2019.

Steven Yiu, Deputy Director, Service Delivery of AAHK, said: “We are delighted to join forces on this program that helps to realize our aspiration in being a leader in technology and innovation among international airports. As one of the busiest passenger airports in the world, we look forward to enhancing passenger experience and daily operations in terms of baggage handling efficiency through the partnership with Vanderlande in further developing and testing FLEET in a live environment.”

“This is an important opportunity to combine Vanderlande’s expertise in the end-to-end baggage handling process and Toyota’s strong position in autonomous vehicle technology, with one of the world’s leading airports,” adds Vanderlande’s Executive Vice President Airports and Member of the Board Andrew Manship.

“Ultimately, our aim is to enhance the passenger experience, while improving efficiency and we have full confidence in FLEET’s capacity to deliver impressive results at one of the fastest-growing airports in the world. This cooperation agreement with HKIA will be another important step in its further development.”

Share
.