Aurrigo develops weather-proof software for airport autonomous vehicles

Coventry-based Aurrigo International has created new software which is designed to help airports manage autonomous vehicles (AVs) in extreme weather conditions such as heavy rain and snow. The company’s new rainfall algorithm can differentiate between raindrops and other objects, enabling AVs to operate in up to 50mm of rain per hour.

Improvements have also been made to protect the LiDAR sensors on the Auto-DollyTug®, used for moving baggage and cargo around airports.

The new software has been tested in both simulated and real-world rainfall scenarios. It uses a five-zone filtering system around the vehicle, with the filtering strength adjusting based on proximity. The software also compensates for low-lying obstacles and reflective surfaces that heavy rain might obscure.

Simon Brewerton, chief technical officer at Aurrigo International plc said: “AVs using this technology rely on the reflection feedback of laser beams for localisation and object recognition and, in intense weather, the scattering and absorption of laser beams by raindrops can lead to distorted signals, compromising the vehicle’s ability to accurately perceive its surroundings.

“The first stage of the solution was to design the latest Auto-DollyTug® with better casing protection for the LiDARs, which we duly did. However, the big ‘Eureka’ moment for us and the sector is the algorithm we have trained to strike a balance between the removal of raindrops and retaining the ability to detect real obstacles. This means that airlines and airport operators have complete confidence that, even in extreme rain conditions, our autonomous dollies will operate efficiently.”

Aurrigo’s tests at an international airport demonstrated the Auto-DollyTug®’s ability to operate autonomously in rainfall of up to 50mm per hour, meeting all customer requirements without disruption.

The ability to operate in such conditions could revolutionise autonomous vehicles in aviation, especially as manual operations often cease during extreme weather for safety reasons.

Sam Layton, regional VP of Singapore at Aurrigo International said: “Automated equipment will be needed for baggage and cargo servicing, catering, water, and refuelling. Our vehicles – Auto-DollyTug® and Auto-Cargo® – unlock the ULD and cargo pallet servicing pieces of that puzzle respectively. Our enhancement, together with other advanced systems, mean flight schedules will be maintained whilst reducing the risk of injury to airside workers, two key priorities for airlines, and airport and ground support operators.”

Aurrigo has also secured £5.25m in funding to scale up production of the Auto-DollyTug® and meet growing global demand, with plans to have 22 units in operation by 2025.

Image source: Aurrigo