Wednesday, July 17, 2024 SATS Airport Services Pte Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SATS Ltd, alongside SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) and Changi Airport Group (CAG), has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to initiate a proof of concept (POC) involving autonomous buses for transporting airport staff within Changi Airport’s airside. Funded under the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)’s Aviation Development Fund (ADF), this two-year collaboration aims to support Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative. This vision seeks to advance Singapore’s digital capabilities across various sectors, including transportation, urban living, and public services.
Set to commence in the third quarter of 2024, the POC will validate the autonomous buses’ self-driving capabilities, ensuring operational and safety standards under the supervision of an on-board safety driver. The POC will unfold in two phases: an initial phase in a controlled environment followed by integration into live operational settings. This initiative aligns with Changi Airport’s strategy to automate routine driving tasks, allowing airside personnel to focus on more complex responsibilities.
It also presents opportunities for job enrichment and skills enhancement. The collaborators anticipate that successful outcomes from this POC will catalyze broader adoption of autonomous solutions, enhancing productivity across airside operations. “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 , Chief Operating Officer 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 Mr Low . SATS Group and its global affiliates are actively investing in multiple Proof of Concepts (POCs) involving autonomous guided vehicles.
These initiatives encompass trials of automated airside cargo transport vehicles and autonomous forklifts within airport operations and cargo terminals across 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 of operations to fulfill staff transportation needs at the airside,” said Mr Foo Kean Shuh , Executive Vice President Operations and Chief Sustainability Officer, SIA Engineering Company.
Mr Yeo Kia Thye, Managing Director, Airport Operations Control, 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 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.
”.
