A Team of ST Engineering and Israel Aerospace Industries Won CAAS Aviation Challenge 1 and 2 programs by Presenting a Robotic and Automations Systems that Increases Operational Productivity and Capacity at Changi Airport and Changi Airfreight Cargo Terminals, Singapore
AC1 – IAI & STE presented Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) with a comprehensive solution for improving baggage handling for both outgoing and incoming flights at Changi Airport. The system will improve dramatically the passenger experience by reducing baggage loss and damages. A multi-flight baggage handling system tracks, sorts and transfers each baggage item to its respective flight for loading onto Changi Airport standard Baggage Trolleys (BTs). Specially designed transfer tables that are installed on existing baggage conveyors direct each baggage towards its designated BT for loading.
In the Aviation Challenge 1 (AC1) more than 20 teams/companies have participated and submit proposals. This competition was concluded with the announcement of the winning team of STE & IAI, which submitted the most comprehensive and robust end to end solution.
AC2 – IAI and ST Engineering presented the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) with a comprehensive automated innovative solution that improves build-up and breakdown of cargo ULD (Unit load Device) pallets and containers, a labor-intensive process at Changi Airfreight Center. The presented automated cargo handling system aims to minimize the physical workload of cargo handlers and by that meets also the latest compliance regarding personnel health and safety. Utilizing a combination of scanners, robotic manipulators and automated guided vehicles, parallel build-up of ULDs can be achieved, potentially realizing up to 30% reduction in the workload as compared to the current manual process.
Thirteen international and local teams/companies submitted proposals to the Aviation Challenge 2 (AC2). Two were selected for the final stage of building a full-scale “proof-of concept” demonstration system, with funding from CAAS. The competition ended with the announcement of the winning team of ST Engineering and IAI, which submitted the most operational and cost effective end-to-end solution.
Shaul Shahar, IAI EVP and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group: “This state of the art robotics and autonomous technology success reaffirms IAI as a leading provider of cutting edge airport operations solutions. Singapore is highly respected as an early adopter of advanced high-tech solutions, with other countries closely monitoring its innovations.”
