Autonomous baggage transport (ABT) is funded by the EU program Horizon 2020, Avinor participates in the European AWARD project to autonomize heavy-duty vehicles set to kick-off in 2021. See further information and a list of involved companies at award-h2020.eu and easymile.com.
Avinor will provide outdoor testing areas for autonomous transport units, where the goal of AWARD is to develop units that are fully autonomous in all weather conditions. Avinor will involve handlers and thereby acquire relevant knowledge and experience with outdoor automation.
Status October 2021
The ABT project at Avinor Oslo airport is in the implementation phase where the focus is on the use of an autonomous luggage tractor (TractEasy) at the airport. The tractor was delivered early September as a loan arranged through the AWARD project. The test area for phase 0 and Phase 1 has been cleared and the information about the relevant test area has been implemented in TractEasy.
The purpose of Phase 0 was to ensure that Tracteasy is configured in a safe and secure manner, so that it is safe to carry out operational tests. Phase 0 was completed late September. All activities requires a safety operator to be onboard the vehicle, taking control whenever necessary.
Scheduled progress:
- In phase 1, production-like operations are carried out, but the tests are carried out in a sheltered area. Phase 1 includes training of the operators and will be undertaken in the first half of November.
- In phase 2 it is planned to include realistic tests in operational areas. The tests will be performed on operational roads in parallel with other traffic. Extensive risk analysis will be undertaken prior to testing to secure both personnel and equipment, and identified risk reduction measures will be implemented. Phase 2 is planned for February 2022.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, under grant agreement no. 101006817.
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