Autonomous tractors operational at Singapore Changi

After nearly a year of rigorous trials covering more than 5,000 test trips, Changi Airport has deployed its first fleet of fully driverless autonomous tractors for airside operations.

The launch, officiated by Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Transport, Sun Xueling, is said to signal the country’s “commitment to pioneering smart airport technologies that set new benchmarks for operations”.  

The milestone marks a significant leap in Changi Airport’s push for innovation and operational efficiency, raising manpower productivity while enhancing safety and reliability.  

Two autonomous tractors are now deployed in live operations in Changi’s airside to transfer passenger bags between Terminal 1 and Terminal 4’s baggage handling areas.

More than 10 sensors and cameras on each of these tractors work together to enable the vehicles to safely navigate the complex airside environment in all conditions – day, night and rain.

The autonomous tractors are also monitored in a control centre during operations, where a remote operator can step in immediately, should human intervention be required.  

Another six autonomous tractors will be deployed to a different route between Terminal 2’s baggage handling area and aircraft stands later this year to support baggage operations under a CAG-SATS collaboration.

The autonomous tractor fleet will be expanded to 24 vehicles by year 2027. Going forward, more autonomous tractors will be deployed to tow cargo and equipment, in addition to baggage. 

This project, co-funded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), aligns with Changi Airport’s broader innovation strategy, which includes the integration of autonomous technology into airside operations.

Operator, Changi Airport Group, is also committed to the use of AI in initiatives such as “Aircraft 360”, as well as automation and robotics to increase manpower productivity. 

According to CAG, autonomous tractors free up airside workers from driving tasks, enabling them to focus on last mile operations, which are more difficult to automate.

To ensure that the autonomous tractors operate safely alongside workers, clear autonomous vehicles (AV) zone markings have been painted in the airside. Clear labels have also been attached to all AVs.

Liu Yanling, CAG’s senior vice president for airport operations strategy and transformation, enthused: “The operationalisation of our autonomous tractors today represents a huge step forward for Changi Airport, as we move towards our vision of the airside of the future.

“Through collaborating with our airport partners to redesign work processes and infrastructural policies, we are shaping a future-proofed working environment where autonomous vehicles can function safely and seamlessly with other human-driven vehicles, with workers focusing on last mile operations.”