Material handling specialist Vanderlande has signed an innovative partnership agreement with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to further develop and apply its vehicle-based baggage logistics solution Fleet at Hong Kong International Airport, China.
The partnership will focus on integrating Fleet’s autonomous vehicle technology with the baggage-handling process, with the aim of improving quality, efficiency and flexibility.
Fleet has been designed to not only improve baggage operations, but also grow seamlessly alongside an airport, match its operations, and enable it to adapt to changing regulations.
This collaborative program will allow Vanderlande to further develop the various application areas of Fleet and test them in a live airport environment.
Hong Kong Airport will benefit from seeing first-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 airport’s baggage-handling operations. The first Fleet trial is expected to go live at the airport in March 2019.
Steven Yiu, deputy director, service delivery, 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.”
Andrew Manship, executive vice president airports and member of the board, Vanderlande, added, “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.
“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.”