CAG develops automated outdoor baggage handling system

Changi Airport Group has announced the inaugural demonstration of a jointly developed outdoor-based autonomous baggage loading system prototype.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) is collaborating with Sarcos to develop the system to automate the loading and unloading of loose passenger bags from narrow-bodied aircraft.

The inaugural field demonstrations were conducted during September 2022 at Singapore Changi Airport and validated the opportunity for robotics to reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries from baggage handling and augment the ground handling labour force.

To support air traffic recovery and meet long-term staffing needs, CAG is investing in robotics technology to automate labour-intensive roles in the outdoor apron environment. Autonomous technologies will be needed to meet a significantly increased need for airport employees. The development and trial of the baggage loading system is partially funded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) through its Aviation Development Fund (ADF). The ADF supports initiatives to improve productivity in the Singapore aviation sector through the use of innovative solutions.

“Changi Airport is an industry visionary and continues to be a key development partner to Sarcos,” commented Kiva Allgood, president and CEO, Sarcos.

“Deploying robotics to improve workplace safety is core to our mission and this system has the potential to transform airports across the globe by making them safer and reducing passenger delays due to weather-related downtime. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with CAG to augment the workforce of the tarmac with robotics.”