that other stations were in negotiations
for trialling the tractor. For those not won
over by the concept, there is plenty of
evidence to suggest that this technology
has much to commend it.
According to Bob Belither, Manager
UK & Ireland, and one who has been
involved in the project, the advantages
are that because the vehicle is driven as it
should be, and is not subject to varying
driving styles, maintenance and longevity
are improved, so that the tractor does not
require as much mechanical attention
as might otherwise be the case: yearly
maintenance instead of six-monthly
periods was suggested as practicable.
e technology is also foolproof:
and because of this, there is a distinct
advantage in terms of safety on the ramp.
is tractor is designed to stop and start
near the aircra , with the nal leg, if
required, being executed by the driver.
ere is also the matter of sta ng: tests
have shown that personnel can be reduced
by anything up to two-thirds when
operating a driverless tractor. Labour
costs, as most readers will know, is an
En route: a slightly unnerving sight
for some spectators at Toulouse,
the driverless baggage tractor
ongoing headache, so this technology
presents an interesting alternative to an
old problem.
Summing up
At Air France, the driverless vehicle
concept is just one of several initiatives
with which the carrier is involved. Vincent
Euzeby, Head of IT & Tech Innovation
at the carrier, was enthusiastic: “By
Towable Passenger Stairs:
• Diesel
• Electric
Dollies:
• Baggage dollies
• Container dollies
• Slavepallets
• Pallet dollies
• Racks
Your Success is our Goal
We oer better, faster, more eective
ways to get the job done.
GSE INNOVATION
facilitating the use of an autonomous
baggage tractor and perfectly integrating
it into its operational processes, Air
France’s ambition is to further optimise its
operational performance and improve its
customers’ travel experience. is test is
the rst step to a more widespread roll-out
of autonomous vehicles at our airports.”
For Philippe Crébassa, Chairman of
the Executive Board of Toulouse Blagnac
airport, it was a special moment. “ is test
is a concrete step to designing the smart
airport, more innovative, connected and
more e cient for our customers. It was
only natural that this world rst took place
at Toulouse airport, the pioneer city of
aviation.”
e nal word goes to Charlatte’s
CEO, Bastien Devaux: “We are very
proud of this world- rst operation
highlighting in real conditions the added
value of our AT135 autonomous tractor,
combining the expertise of Charlatte
Manutention and Navya. e roll-out on a
larger scale of autonomous vehicles should
contribute to easing increasingly dense
logistics ows.” ghi
JT2 Group GmbH
Münchner Str. 19a
82319 Starnberg | Germany
+ 49 (0)8151 / 99 86 79 – 0
info@JT2Group.com
www.JT2Group.com
European manufacturer
Stairs
Dollies
www.groundhandling.com 27
/www.JT2Group.com
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