Autonomous Vehicles: Driving Change

David Keene, CEO of Aurrigo International plc, explores what it will take for aviation to fully embrace autonomous technology and revolutionise the airport experience.

Airports and airlines can easily predict how the aviation sector will look in the next 12 months. However, fast forward a decade, and the picture becomes far less certain.

Why? Because the pace of technological change is extraordinary. We are at the dawn of a new era in aviation automation – one that is already taking off. Companies across the industry, including Aurrigo, are pioneering solutions that will transform the way airports operate.

By 2035, they will be highly automated, sustainable, and passenger centric. Imagine a seamless passenger experience driven by AI: biometric security checks, automated check-ins, AI-powered security screening, and frictionless boarding.

These innovations will eliminate waiting times, enhance efficiency, and reduce travel stress, putting passengers in the perfect mood to indulge in airport shopping – a win-win for both travellers and airport retailers.

Sustainability will be at the heart of these advancements. Electrification, smart energy solutions, and Net Zero initiatives will dominate the conversation. Green hydrogen fuelling, solar-powered infrastructure, and carbon-neutral logistics will become standard features of modern airports.

Data will continue to reign supreme. AI-powered control towers will act as the conductors of a complex ground traffic orchestra, optimising fleet co-ordination, managing weather disruptions, and reducing congestion to minimise delays and improve turnaround times.

Autonomous ground operations will be fully deployed, delivering significant environmental, operational, and passenger experience benefits. This is an area I’m particularly passionate about at Aurrigo, where we have firsthand experience of how driverless baggage vehicles can revolutionise airside logistics.

And baggage vehicles are just the beginning. Automated cargo haulers, pushback tugs, catering wagons, aircraft refuellers, and passenger shuttles will soon follow, transforming airport ground operations as we know them.

In fact, many airports are already working with us to deploy our Auto-DollyTug, a fully automated baggage-handling vehicle. By the end of 2025, we expect to see these vehicles in live operation.

And, as with all groundbreaking technology, once one airport proves the concept and reaps the benefits, others will quickly follow.

Getting to 2035: The path to transformation

So, what will it take to turn this vision into reality? Airports and airlines need answers now. But before we look at the solutions, let’s examine some of the biggest challenges the industry faces.

To achieve fully connected airports, massive investment in digital infrastructure will be essential. AI-powered orchestration platforms and real-time data sharing will be key to optimising operations across all areas, from departure gates and baggage halls to the countless retail outlets that have transformed airport terminals into bustling shopping hubs.

While there are numerous promising technology trials underway, the real challenge lies in scaling them from pilot projects to full deployment. This requires a global commitment to collaboration, and it requires the sharing of knowledge, costs, and benefits to accelerate widespread adoption.

Regulatory frameworks must also evolve to keep pace with innovation. Across the UK, Singapore, the US, Asia, and the Middle East, governments and aviation bodies are actively exploring autonomous vehicle adoption. However, without harmonised global regulations, scaling AV technology across airports will remain a challenge.

The CAA, FAA, CAAS, IATA, and other regulatory bodies understand that they must act swiftly, because in today’s world, technology moves faster than regulation. A unified global framework for AV deployment could create a much-needed collaborative approach to safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

The role of governments and public-private partnerships

For this transition to be truly effective, governments must step up. In an ideal world, infrastructure upgrades would be incentivised, giving AVs access to the best 5G connectivity, digital mapping, and V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) integration.

Achieving this requires strong public-private partnerships – a crucial element for success.

Greater regulatory standardisation would also help eliminate interoperability challenges across airports, while tax incentives, grants, and R&D funding would provide the financial backing needed to accelerate deployment.

In the UK, we’ve been fortunate to receive support from Innovate UK and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV). However, to scale our technology quickly, we needed additional capital, leading us to go public.

This move has allowed us to push forward with innovations such as Auto-DollyTug, Auto-Sim (our digital twin software), and Auto-Connect (our cyber-resilient fleet management platform).

Immediate opportunities and challenges

Looking ahead, 2025 will be a pivotal year for autonomous vehicle deployment in controlled environments, including airports. However, significant challenges remain.

Beyond regulatory hurdles, public perception and trust pose major barriers to widespread AV adoption. Airports recognise the potential of autonomous vehicles, but key stakeholders still need reassurance that these technologies are safe, reliable, and ready for real-world deployment.

The only way to overcome scepticism is through transparent data sharing and large-scale trials. Demonstrating real-world success will be critical to driving adoption. Encouragingly, we’re already seeing this shift with advanced trials of our Auto-DollyTug at Singapore (SIN), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky (CVG) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) airports.

Cybersecurity: The next frontier

As AVs become more connected, they also become more vulnerable to cyber threats. Airports and OEMs must work together to build secure communication networks and implement robust cybersecurity measures.

Fortunately, these challenges are solvable. And like many industry experts, I’m confident that over the next 12 months, we’ll see major progress.

There is a growing appetite for scaling autonomous ground support equipment and AI-powered fleet management systems. Simulation software like Auto-Sim is already offering a glimpse into the future, showcasing how AVs can seamlessly integrate into airside operations alongside human-operated vehicles. Optimising routes, reducing emissions, and enhancing safety are just some of the benefits.

Another key driver of adoption? Labour shortages. Since COVID-19, the aviation industry has struggled with staffing shortfalls, particularly among baggage handlers. Autonomous vehicles provide a scalable, efficient solution to this challenge.

The future is autonomous

By aligning technological innovation with regulatory frameworks, investing in infrastructure, and ensuring safety and public trust, autonomous vehicles will become an integral part of air travel.

More than just a solution for today, they are a stepping stone to the connected, intelligent, and sustainable airports of the future. And that future is closer than we think.