ACI report explores the growing use of autonomous vehicles at airports
New publication will help airports plan and benefit from the rise of the machines
Airports Council International (ACI) World has today launched The Autonomous Vehicles and Systems at Airports Report, to help airports assess key opportunities for the application of autonomous vehicles at airports.
The report was launched today at the ACI Airport Exchange event in Abu Dhabi.
Several airports around the world have already facilitated testing of autonomous machines and vehicles in their operations.
The report brings together information from these first attempts at integrating this new technology and uses it to gain a better understanding of the likely impact on aviation in the medium to long term.
ACI expects the report will prompt airport operators to engage with autonomous machine and vehicle manufacturers to see if they can benefit from early adoption of this technology and become fertile testing grounds for trials.
"It is becoming clear that autonomous vehicles do have a role to play at airports, but adoption of this new technology is at a very early stage," ACI World Director General Angela Gittens said. "It is therefore critical in this stage of the technology's lifecycle for the aviation industry to identify key opportunities and concerns as it relates to autonomous machines at airports."
Autonomous vehicles and systems are a key technology being considered under the joint ACI and International Air Transport Association (IATA) New Experience Travel Technologies (NEXTT) initiative.
NEXTT is creating a common vision for the future of air transport, using technology to increase airport efficiency and provide another level of personalization to the passenger experience.