ShinMaywa Industries : Achieving the world's first remote operated "Autonomous" PBB at Changi Airport without the need of aircraft selection
August 25, 2023 at 06:32 pm EDT
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-Evolving into Smarter Airports by ShinMaywa Intelligent PAXWAYTM AI Fully- Automatic Docking System -
ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. attained the world's first commercial use of a fully remote control Autonomous self-operating (aircraft selection free*) passenger boarding bridge (PBB) with live aircraft at Changi Airport on August 24th, 2023.
The Fully-Automatic Docking System developed by the Company in 2020 was incorporated into its PBB delivered to Changi Airport Terminal 1 in August 2022. The Company and Changi Airport Group (CAG) tested the system using mock-up fuselages to demonstrate remote operation from the apron below the PBB and away from the control consoles in the bridge. Docking accuracy and safety were verified and obtained.
In addition, by expanding the remote console function, it will help to improve manpower productivity as one operator can operates the PBB even for the wide-body aircraft.
The remote-control function goes on sales on August 25, 2023.
* Aircraft selection free: A highly versatile design which does not restrict to use only with a particular type of aircraft.
Achieving remote operated Autonomous PBB at Changi Airport (Image courtesy of CAG)
The remote operation panel of Fully-Automatic Docking System at Changi Airport (Image courtesy of CAG)
PBB with Fully-Automtic Docking System and remote-control funcion used on the live aircraft at Changi Airport (Image courtesy of CAG)
ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd., (head office in Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan. Tatsuyuki Isogawa, President & CEO; hereinafter the "Company") and Changi Airport Group, operator of Singapore Changi Airport, jointly performed the world's first fully remote-controlled docking of an autonomous self-operating (aircraft selection free) passenger boarding bridge (PBB) with live commercial aircraft on August 24th, 2023. The remote-control function for this Fully-Automatic Docking System goes on sale today (August 25).
Developed by the Company in 2020, the Fully-Automatic Docking System was incorporated onto the PBB delivered to Changi Airport Terminal 1 in August 2022 and put through over a year of testing using life-size mock-up fuselages. The testing was to demonstrate the remote operation of the PBB from around the base of the rotunda column-operation currently performed by an operator at the control console inside the cab at the docking end of the PBB. Having certifying the accuracy and safety, the system now moves into the practical application phase with CAG permitting its used on live commercial aircrafts.
Based on the results of the demonstration testing and application to live aircrafts at Changi Airport, one of the world's major aviation hubs, the Company will promote the Fully-Automatic Docking System, complete with remote control functionality, to the world. As always, the Company will harness its technologies in delivering to airport solutions contributing to higher utilization rates, on-time performance, and safe and efficient operation.
● [Background]
Following recognition of the Company's ongoing pursuit of PBB innovations, CAG and the Company proceeded to jointly develop a remote operated PBB using a PBB delivered by the Company to Changi Airport in August 2022.
● [ShinMaywa's endeavors']
In 2015, the Company began demonstration tests of an automated docking system that moves a PBB to 10 cm from the aircraft door. Tokushima Awaodori Airport, where the testing took place, became the world's first airport administrator to approve the system. The system is currently in service at Tokushima Awaodori Airport (three units) and Narita International Airport five units).
In 2020, the Company developed its Fully-Automatic Docking System. Two units have been in service at Osaka International (Itami) Airport since June 2022.
● [Features of Intelligent PAXWAYTM AI Fully-Automatic Docking System]
"Aircraft selection free" realizes high versatility.
The system automatically drives the PBB towards the aircraft and dock with the door.
The operation above requires just one single push of a button. The cameras detect the door position accurately, eliminating the operation for aircraft model selection. This feature eliminates human errors which experienced at airports and enhance manpower efficiency in operation.
AI determines the door position accurately by processing various conditions primarily such as weather, environment, and fuselage paint work. Even if the system finds the door position undetectable. AI learns such situation so that it can improve the accuracy in proposition to the operating frequency, thus updates regularly.
ShinMaywa Industries Ltd. published this content on 25 August 2023 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 25 August 2023 22:31:40 UTC.
ShinMaywa Industries, Ltd. is mainly engaged in the aircraft business, the special vehicle business and other businesses. The Company operates in four segments. The Aircraft segment provides aircrafts, including rescue flying-boats and training support aircrafts, and aircraft parts. The Special Vehicle segment provides dump trucks, tail gate lifters, desorption body trucks, garbage cars and other special vehicles, as well as related parts. The Industrial Equipment and Environment System segment provides submersible pumps, water processing-related facilities and equipment, automatic electric cable processors, film formation equipment, direct drive motors, refuse transfer stations and others. The Parking System segment provides mechanical parking systems and boarding bridges for passenger aircrafts. The Company also involves in the construction of waste disposal facilities, the real estate and software development businesses.
SHINMAYWA INDUSTRIES, LTD. 
