PROJECT TOPICCommercial Services & Consumer Systems
Autonomous Airport Baggage Tugger
An outdoor apron logistics concept investigating heavy electric tow tractors, multi-LiDAR obstacle classification, and trailer swing-angle telemetry to safely navigate tarmac baggage carts between passenger terminals and aircraft stands.
Outdoor Airport Apron Logistics Automation
- ✓Navigates busy airport ramp roadways safely around active ground service equipment.
- ✓Employs dynamic brake-by-wire controls to prevent trailer jack-knifing on slick tarmac.
- ✓Reduces flight luggage turnaround delays through predictable scheduled towing dispatches.
The Engineering Challenge
Problem / Objective
Airport aprons are congested, high-risk environments where manual baggage tractor collisions cause expensive aircraft delays and ground damage.
Conceptual Signal Flow
System Concept
Multi-LiDAR & Camera Fusion → Apron Path Follower → High-Torque AC Electric Traction Motor → Baggage Train Transfer.
Architecture Modules
1Heavy-Duty Welded Steel Tow Tractor Chassis
23D Multi-LiDAR & Vision Perception Array
3Dual AC Induction Traction Drive Transaxle
4Fail-Safe Hydraulic Brake-by-Wire Subsystem
Hardware Categories
Solid-State 3D LiDARsIndustrial AC Induction MotorHydraulic Brake ActuatorsRuggedized RTK-GNSS Unit
Technologies & Software
Heavy AGVsOutdoor LiDAR SLAMBrake-by-WireAirport LogisticsROS 2 Heavy-Vehicle NavigationTarmac Traffic Rule Safety State Machine
Engineering Considerations & Edge Cases
- Severe outdoor weather (heavy rain, fog, high wind) degrading optical LiDAR sensors
- Stopping distance calculations under maximum 6-ton trailer towing weights
Applications
Airport baggage transfer roads
Air cargo container distribution
Aircraft maintenance parts towing
Engineering Inquiry & Collaboration
Interested in Developing this Architecture?
Connect directly with Tamizh Tech engineers in Coimbatore to discuss mechanical fabrication, sensor selection, firmware implementation, or turnkey system commissioning.