DHL Supply Chain has completed its first deployment of an autonomous vehicle in live airport traffic at Heathrow, safely completing more than 800 miles (1,300km) of autonomous driving in 14 days.
The project builds on DHL’s Strategic Partnership with Heathrow, through which the business has provided baggage logistics and support services since 2020. Designed to continue DHL’s mission to optimise airside operations through innovative and sustainable methods, this autonomous technology has the ambition to drive efficiency across the inter-terminal baggage transfer service, as well as providing a test bed for automation of further airport services.
By leveraging autonomous vehicles and AI, the project aims to assist the Aviation industry in understanding how it can unlock a sustainable and scalable logistics solution with an innovative, long-term approach. DHL’s current baggage transfer service sees over 60,000 passenger bags moved each month between Heathrow terminals, and the clear ambition of the project is to start to meet this need autonomously and provide a platform for future growth.
Ahead of deployment, the autonomous vehicle, driven by Oxa’s self-driving software, undertook a series of installation exercises at Heathrow, ensuring safety and enabling the vehicle to integrate seamlessly into the complex airside environment. The vehicle ran autonomously on the first day of the project, requiring no specialist modifications or accommodations. Its performance was continually optimised throughout the two-week period, resulting in all performance and safety benchmarks being met.
This initial project was conducted using a passenger vehicle, to demonstrate the capabilities of the technology, but with a view to ultimately utilising vehicle platforms suitable for baggage transfer – including electric vans and tow tractors.
Gavin Payne, Director of Engineering and Baggage, Heathrow said: “Intelligent autonomous logistics will play a key role in the future of operations at Heathrow. It was great to be able to support and join DHL, OXA, and the Heathrow team in achieving the first safe and significant step towards this vision. Working within the Baggage Strategic Partnership in this way is critical to our Innovation journey and I am excited to see what comes next.”
Nigel Milton, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer, Heathrow said: “Our vision is to be an extraordinary airport fit for the future. Having experienced this innovative and sustainable project first hand, I’m confident collaborations like this with our strategic partner DHL, and their partner Oxa, will help us realise our ambition. The future of airport operations requires advancements which will enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support increased capacity. This project is an exciting proof point of the progress that will make every journey at Heathrow better.”
Dan Peacock, Managing Director, DHL Supply Chain said: “Our priority is to deliver an exceptional service to our customers that meets their unique needs, and this project supports Heathrow by modelling an innovative solution which could really help drive capacity safely and sustainably. Our strong partnerships with leading companies such as Oxa, enable us to evolve and improve our operations, creating a competitive advantage for customers like Heathrow.”
Gavin Jackson, CEO, Oxa, said: “There are huge opportunities to modernise airport supply chains with intelligent, self-driving vehicles that improve the entire customer experience. We are delighted to partner with DHL in order to support the use of autonomous vehicles within airside operations at Heathrow and around the world – working towards fully automated airside logistics at scale.”
(Picture – DHL)
