Siemens and Gaussin enter into cooperation on airport logistics and cargo handling
- Autonomous guided vehicles improve airport ground transportation flows
- Airports benefit from higher productivity and shorter transit times
- Further step toward Aviation 4.0
Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics (SPPAL) and the French engineering company Gaussin Manugistique have signed an exclusive agreement for the global commercialization of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) for the transportation of unit load devices (ULDs) at airports. SPPAL will contribute among others its reliable and efficient conveyor technologies and baggage handling solutions, and Gaussin is bringing its innovative automated vehicles to the table. Through the cooperation with Gaussin, Siemens will expand its turnkey offering to also include AGV solutions for ULDs.
AGVs are set to improve transportation flows at large airports. That leads to higher productivity, thereby shortening the time needed to process ULDs with baggage or cargo. An added benefit is that airlines can optimally use the time periods that aircrafts spend on the ground. AGV solutions are extremely robust, making it easier to transport heavy loads. A design based on a modular platform allows airports to expand their AGV fleet as capacity requirements change over time.
“In combination with our expertise in baggage and cargo handling systems, this cooperation will lead to even greater operational efficiencies and benefits for our customers,” said Michael Reichle, CEO of Siemens Postal, Parcel & Airport Logistics. “At the same time, Siemens takes a further step in developing its integrated Aviation 4.0 portfolio.”
“Passenger numbers and the demand for air cargo are both rising. This brings new challenges to our company, but even greater opportunities”, added Christophe Gaussin, CEO of Gaussin Manugistique. “By cooperating with Siemens, we gain additional access to the airport sector.”
The agreement is an important step for the development of the airport of tomorrow. With its comprehensive portfolio of cloud-based software solutions, SPPAL is making a major contribution to Aviation 4.0. Innovative Internet of Things (IoT) applications and data analytics enable customers to digitalize their baggage and cargo handling operations, thus aiding seamless airport processes. Data are stored and analyzed in MindSphere, the open, cloud-based IoT operating system from Siemens.
Siemens serves 16 of the 20 largest passenger airports worldwide, handling a total of 1.1 billion airline customers per year. Furthermore, six of the world’s top ten cargo airports are Siemens customers, which together handle around 19 million tons of goods annually. The company’s successful activities additionally encompass long-term operating and maintenance contracts with nearly 40 airports around the globe.
Gaussin Manugistique (FR0010342329), listed on Euronext Growth Paris, is a global engineering company, specialized in environmentally compatible technologies for wheeled handling systems and logistics for airports, ports and industrial applications.