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Leipzig is testing autonomous robotic snow plows – the winter service of the future!
At Leipzig/Halle Airport, autonomous snow plows are being tested in summer conditions to check their efficiency and operational readiness.
Leipzig is testing autonomous robotic snow plows – the winter service of the future!
A test run with innovative, self-driving winter service vehicles begins today at Leipzig/Halle Airport. The test, which will last a week, will take place under summer conditions. The aim of this trial is to test the autonomous driving of vehicles for clearing snow on the runways, even if there is no snow in the region at this time of year. These tests are the first step in implementing new technologies for winter service, reports the Time.
A total of four autonomous snow plows were prepared for this test. The test missions take place during the day in a cordoned off area of the apron so as not to disrupt regular flight operations. An experienced winter service driver is present in every vehicle to intervene in an emergency, but this has not yet been necessary. No special permission was required for the test runs because there are always drivers on board, they said Weather.com.
Technology and perspectives
The vehicles come from the Swiss manufacturer Aebi Schmidt, which has already carried out similar tests at several German airports, including Berlin and Stuttgart. Aebi Schmidt is considered a global leader in the development of clearing vehicles for airports. The manufacturer has high hopes for the technology and expects to be able to use fully autonomous snow plows without a safety driver in three to four years, reports Time. A key advantage of robotic snowplows is the ability to operate around the clock, regardless of weather conditions.
The use of GPS navigation allows precise control, which is extremely important in times of sudden onset of winter. Airports are considered excellent locations for autonomous systems as they provide a controlled environment that encourages the adoption of these technologies. The airport association ADV supports these developments because they are seen as an opportunity to increase the efficiency and safety of processes.
The challenges with regard to liability issues and the high personnel requirements during snow are currently still unresolved. These aspects could have a significant impact on the further use of autonomous vehicles in winter service. While interest in the technology is currently low in some locations, such as Stuttgart, Leipzig sees potential and plans to continue test runs in July and August.