The next time you pass through London Heathrow Airport, keep an eye out for airplanes moving around via remote control.
No, pilotless aircraft are not here yet (though they’re probably coming, and they could be a financial windfall). What is happening at airports around the world is a huge push to cut emissions. Heathrow 2.0 is the mega-hub’s strategy, and the new, driverless, battery-powered remote-control tugs are part of it.
British Airways has put five of the devices, supplied by Mototok, in service at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 (T5). The tugs can run for about three days between charges, and the airport is installing charging stations at all 25 T5 gates.
These tugs are dedicated to British Airways Airbus narrowbody aircraft, but the airline is eyeing broader usage at Heathrow and other airports. While other airlines and aircraft operators use the tugs British Airways says it’s the first operator to use the tugs at multiple gates.
See below for a video of the tug in action, courtesy of British Airways. Meanwhile, Mototok has an excellent overview on the benefits of automated ground vehicles (AGVs).
