Ground support equipment, as with many other heavy machinery, is experiencing a technological revolution with the development of assistance or automation systems.
Building on their extensive experience in their respective fields, TLD and EasyMile are introducing TractEasy, the first autonomous electric baggage tractor. TractEasy will enable both indoor and outdoor driverless operations in full compliance with airport regulations, but most importantly without the need for extra infrastructure.
The TractEasy driverless baggage tractor is actually in operation in a large airport in America.
Dedicated to transferring baggage from the terminal to the aircraft area, the TractEasy is a driverless version of the JET-16 and said to be the first in what will later become a full range of driverless TLD vehicles.
With top speeds of 25 kilometres per hour, the tractor is categorized as an SAE Level 4 automated vehicle, designed to be safer than any human-driven equivalent. For optimal safety, obstacle detection features include both anti-collision software and the safety chain.
Additional benefits include minimal energy consumption and significant operational cost savings. Customers can expect to recoup their initial outlay in 1-2 years, taking potential manpower savings into consideration. The vehicle can also be deployed in as little as three months from contract signing to operations.
Battery and charging management are included in the software and automatic charging is planned and should be offered in 2020.
Yves Crespel, TLD Group Communication Director, says: “It is great to finally reveal our fully autonomous baggage and industrial tractor. With this strategic partnership with EasyMile at TLD we're fully into the deployment phase with testing done in both airport and industrial environments."
