HKIA has become the first airport to deploy a large-scale fleet of Level 4 autonomous vehicles, transforming airside and landside operations while reshaping efficiency, workforce models and future passenger mobility.
“With each autonomous tractor, we can save four manual driving positions on average. Therefore 56 autonomous tractors would mean saving the cost of more than 200 drivers,” says Steven Yiu, Executive Director, Airport Operations, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK). With fewer drivers behind the wheels, the airport can deploy more technical staff in control centres, while also nurturing talent for professional, managerial and software development roles. Credit: HKIA.
Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is the first airport in the world that deploys fully autonomous vehicles in live operation on the apron at scale, setting benchmark and standards that have been applied in other airports.
HKIA currently operates more than 70 driverless vehicles, including more than 56 autonomous electric tractors (AETs), eight patrol cars and six staff shuttle buses. They have run more than 3 million kilometres, equivalent to circumventing the earth 76 times.
HKIA is also the world’s first airport to deploy on all its autonomous vehicles the Level 4 autonomous technology, allowing the vehicles to operate safely in the complete absence of manual intervention in a designated environment, a big step forward from Level 3, where human supervision is required.
This year HKIA is again breaking new grounds as it extends the operation of autonomous vehicles from airside to landside to carry passengers on public roads.
This remarkable journey is part of HKIA’s continuous quest for ever smarter operation and sharper efficiency, and the endeavour to reinvent the way airport business is conducted.
Autonomous Electric Tractors
Autonomous electric tractors. Credit: HKIA.
It all started in 2019, when HKIA first used autonomous tractors for baggage delivery.
The tractors are programmed to achieve end-to-end automation. At the baggage hall, the tractors are tasked to tow multiple baggage dollies along three programmed routes of 2.7km to 3.5km each. Using various smart devices, such as 32-Channel LiDAR, DGPS antenna, bumper sensor and dolly monitor cameras, the tractors operate smoothly alongside other vehicles driven by airport personnel. In addition to avoiding obstacles and detecting overload, the tractors are able to switch between fast and slow lanes within tunnels or designated road sections to minimise disruptions during temporary lane closures.
Upon arrival in a safe position at the aircraft’s parking stand, the tractors would release their towed dollies without manual intervention. They will then automatically return to a designated handover area to wait for their next assignments.
These tractors have been further upgraded recently with an Auto-Charging Robotic Arm (ACRA) to enable automated charging. The tractors’ into-stand operation and point-to-point delivery enhance operational efficiency and save hundreds of driving positions. The operation of autonomous tractors will be further extended to the air cargo terminals and other locations at HKIA.
Another important group of the autonomous vehicle family is the Airport Patrol Cars, which perform duties on the perimeters of the airfield under all weather conditions. They can automatically identify potential intruders within 3 metres of the security fences and trigger alerts at the integrated airport control centre. The patrol cars are also able to detect abnormalities on the apron roads, especially irregularities on the razor wire fences, and alert the control centre.
Novel business model
Autonomous patrol car. Credit: HKIA.
“When we first introduced autonomous vehicles to our operation in 2019, we did not only consider technical feasibility but also the model of working with our business partners to make sure that the new solution would help their business. We realised that the crux was about helping business partners to save cost and increase efficiency,” said Steven Yiu, Executive Director, Airport Operations, Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK).
“With each autonomous tractor, we can save four manual driving positions on average. Therefore 56 autonomous tractors would mean saving the cost of more than 200 drivers.
“In addition, the application of autonomous tractors and patrol cars helps to eliminate the risk of human error and miscommunication, ensure consistent and predictable service, and offer flexibility in adjusting daily operations capacity, thus enhancing safety and efficiency.”
Yiu said AAHK invested into the development of the technology behind the autonomous vehicles and built the fleet, all without asking airlines or ground handling agents for funding. The autonomous vehicles are then open for rental at a reasonable cost, enabling speedy take-up by business partners.
“This is a new model of running the airport business. AAHK as airport operator built a platform, not for making profit but enabling business partners to lower cost and gain efficiency. The efficiency gain will in turn benefit everyone,” Yiu said.
The introduction of autonomous vehicles is also fundamentally changing the nature of some jobs at the airport. With fewer drivers behind the wheels, the airport can deploy more technical staff in control centres, while also nurturing talent for professional, managerial and software development roles. HKIA collaborated with a technology company from the Chinese Mainland to develop its autonomous driving solution. With the success at HKIA, one of the world’s busiest international airports, this technology is now being adopted at airports in other parts of the world.
Autonomous buses
Autonomous bus. Credit; HKIA.
Passengers will soon experience the ride on autonomous vehicles at HKIA when autonomous buses start taking passengers on public road this year.
The autonomous buses will shuttle passengers between the new Terminal 2 and the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB), a major link between Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland and Macao.
Each vehicle can carry 16 passengers. In the initial stage, they are expected to carry 500 passengers in each direction per hour and in the next phase up to 2,000 people in each direction per hour. AAHK is developing the infrastructure to extend the service to connect with the mass transit system in the nearby town centre.
HKIA’s capability and confidence to extend this autonomous technology to the landside is built on the success of using the technology to transport staff in the restricted area. Since 2023, a fleet of highly safe and intelligent autonomous buses has been taking staff and employees to more than 20 working positions on the apron. The six buses run on three designated routes on the apron, with lengths ranging from 2.8km to 5.5km each.
Yiu said, “Just like other members of our family of autonomous vehicles, these autonomous buses are equipped with state-of-the-art technology combining high performance, precision, and intelligence to deliver a smooth and reliable ride for passengers. We are committed to building a safe, smart, and connected environment for all airport users.”
Leveraging autonomous technology to improve operational efficiency and help airports address workforce challenges will be a key focus during discussions at International Airport Summit taking place on 11-12 November Rome.
