Air France tests autonomous baggage tractor at Toulouse

Air France has embarked on tests with a driverless autonomous baggage tractor which is being used to deliver luggage for aircraft loading at Toulouse airport. Developed by a co-operation between ground vehicle manufacturer Charlatte and autonomous system specialist Navya, the AT135 tractor – known as 'Autonom Tract' – operates between the baggage sorting area and the aircraft stands. Testing of the vehicle under real airport conditions commenced on 15 November. "This test is the first step to a more widespread roll-out of autonomous vehicles at our airports," says Air France technology innovation head Vincent Euzeby. Once the baggage sorting facility receives passengers' luggage, an Air France subcontractor places the items in containers attached to the tractor's train. The location of the Air France aircraft on which the baggage is destined to be loaded is programmed, through a touchscreen, into the vehicle's navigation system. It then departs on a route to the aircraft stand – using 360° detection and decision-making technology – and stops nearby, allowing ground personnel to retrieve the baggage and load it manually onto the flight, before the tractor is despatched back along its arrival route to the sorting area. <br/>