Brussels Airport is testing a self-driving electric tractor in the cargo zone that transports cargo trailers between the warehouses and the tarmac. In the past, Brussels Airport and De Lijn have already tested a self-driving shuttle bus, and there is also an ongoing project involving a self-driving e-shuttle that transports airport staff.

However, according to the airport, this is the first practical test of autonomous freight transport – and thus specifically for cargo – at a Belgian airport.

The goal is to evaluate how autonomous technologies can help make certain cargo operations more efficient and sustainable.

Four predefined routes

The tractor, an AT135 Autonomous Tow Tractor, which can transport up to four cargo trailers at a time, operates on four predefined routes and combines satellite navigation with laser sensors to monitor its surroundings and detect obstacles.

Navya Mobility developed the software and enables navigation in a busy, mixed-traffic environment. The vehicle is CE-certified in accordance with the European Machinery Directive.

Since this is an e-vehicle, there are no CO2 or particulate matter emissions at the site itself – an important consideration in a cargo zone where there are traditionally many diesel tractors in operation.

Navya Mobility

The tests are being conducted in collaboration with cargo handlers WFS Cargo and Charlatte Autonom, a joint venture between the logistics platform of Charlatte Manutention – a French manufacturer of trucks and airport vehicles – and Navya Mobility, a specialist in autonomous driving technology based in Villeurbanne, near Lyon.

They take place under strictly controlled conditions and outside of peak hours. A trained operator is always on board to monitor the situation and intervene if necessary. In autonomous mode, the speed is limited to 12 km/h.

Through this pilot project, the partners aim not only to evaluate the technology but also to determine the conditions that must be met for a potential larger-scale rollout.

However, it should be noted that, following a relaunch after bankruptcy, Navya Mobility is now largely Japanese-owned and, as a result, is focusing more on projects involving autonomous shuttles in Asia. But they’re still part of that joint venture – their projects will be showcased at the GSE Expo Europe in Lisbon in September.

High incidence density

With software, you know exactly what route, speed, and timing each trip took. That makes planning more accurate. With human drivers, you have no choice but to factor in margins for variation.

Another advantage is that it’s easier to scale up to more vehicles without having to train and monitor a proportionally larger number of people.

You must also ask how significant that time savings will be, because a human driver goes faster. However, the Flight Safety Foundation estimates that 27,000 ramp accidents, including loading operations, collisions with aircraft, etc., and incidents occur worldwide each year; that’s about one in every 1,000 flights.

These incidents result in approximately 243,000 injuries annually. The cost to major airlines worldwide is estimated at $10 billion or more per year.

A 2016 IATA study also found that ground support equipment operations, such as tow tractors, account for 47% of all ground damage to aircraft. That is nearly half of all damage incidents, and one of the reasons why Brussels Airport and others are investing in this.

Stargate project

The pilot project at Brussels Airport is part of the European Stargate program to develop and test solutions for more sustainable aviation. Brussels Airport is leading the project, in which 22 partners are collaborating, including Athens International Airport, Budapest Airport, and Toulouse Blagnac Airport, and several airlines.

The Stargate project received a grant of 24.8 million euros as part of the European Green Deal.