New self-driving buses at the Netherlands’ Schiphol airport can lead to greener future

Monday, April 1, 2024

Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands is currently undertaking a trial involving airside self-driving buses, a project slated to continue until the end of April. This initiative is a key part of Schiphol’s broader vision for achieving a sustainable and emission-free ground operation, as outlined by Jan Zekveld, the Head of Innovation at the Royal Schiphol Group. The group has set an ambitious goal to transition all its vehicles to an autonomous, zero-emission fleet by 2050.

The trial features two electric autonomous buses that adhere to a predetermined route daily, serving various airside locations frequented by employees of cleaning firms and ground handling companies. These employees utilize the buses as a shuttle service. Despite their limited capacity of only eight passengers who must be seated during the ride, Ohmio, the Auckland-based company responsible for the buses, highlights the appeal of their compact design by stating, “Cool things come in cute packages.”

Employees access the bus service via a corridor that links to airside services, allowing them to embark and disembark at any stop along the five-minute route. The airport is actively collecting feedback from employees to gauge their reactions to the driverless technology and its potential benefits, while also addressing concerns about automation’s impact on employment. The Royal Schiphol Group emphasizes that, even in an autonomous ground operation scenario, employees will continue to play a crucial role.

Preliminary feedback indicates that 89% of employees are open to using the service again, citing safety and a positive experience. The trial aims to evaluate the technology’s efficacy and explore possibilities for its broader implementation beyond April.

Developed by Ohmio, these self-driving vehicles are designed to navigate traffic signs and interact with other forms of autonomous transport. As Automated Guided Vehicles, they are equipped with cameras to surveil their surroundings, programmed to be mindful of other road users, and to respond appropriately to traffic conditions.

Should the trial prove successful, there is a possibility that similar buses might be introduced at other airports managed by the Royal Schiphol Group or where the group holds a stake, potentially extending to airports like Rotterdam The Hague, Lelystad, and Maastricht Aachen.

[Image Source: IoT World Today]

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