Aurrigo International, a global transport technology leader, has stepped up its autonomous airside logistics solutions with Auto-Cargo, a fully electric, zero emission vehicle capable of carrying a total payload of 16,500 kg.

Source: Aurrigo

The company explained: “This latest launch is another milestone moment for our business and extends our footprint in the aviation sector. Working with UPS, we have designed and developed an autonomous vehicle that can transport a standard cargo pallet or two ULDs with a 4500 kg onboard capacity and the option of towing an additional 12,000 kg trailer.”

Auto Cargo’s specs and capabilities include an electric drive with twin 18.4 kW motors and four-wheel steering. Additionally, a software algorithm developed at Aurrigo allows Auto-Cargo to function in severe weather, including rain in excess of 50 mm per hour.

The vehicle has a maximum speed of 25 kmh and can run for up to eight hours on a single charge, the company added.

The team noted that Auto-Cargo is ‘completely brand new from the ground up’ but does share some characteristics with ADT 3, Aurrigo’s third generation dolly tug.

“It's a big heavy goods vehicle, and that isn't something that we've built in the past,” the team added. “It's a four-wheel drive, four-wheel steering vehicle, so it's a step up in terms of power and traction and load carrying capability.”

Specifically, the main control systems, drive by wire systems and all the parts that make it a drivable robotic machine are based on the legacy of what Aurrigo has done before. Auto-Cargo’s autonomous system is based on ADT 3’s, so tuned for an airport environment but requiring recalibration for the bigger footprint of the vehicle.

For more on the Auto-Cargo, visit the Aurrigo website.