Daimler AG is testing its latest autonomous vehicle, self-driving snow plows, on the site of the former Pferdsfeld airbase in Germany, which would be used for snow removal at airports.
The test called Automated Airfield Ground Maintenance employs four, remote-controlled Mercedes-Benz Arocs tractors. This setup allows a single person to control the entire snow-clearing fleet. It also allows for more precision and would help airports compensate when winter weather strikes suddenly.
Airport crews would be more efficient because the tractors could be used anytime and do not need to rely on staff schedules.
The project was established by in cooperation between Lab 1886, the Daimler innovation incubator, Daimler Trucks, and Fraport AG. Based in Frankfurt/Main, Fraport is one of the world’s largest air-traffic hubs.
“As one of the first airports worldwide, we are pleased to be contributing our know-how to this innovative project,” Mathias Dudek, head of Infrastructural Facility Management at Fraport AG, said. “It enables us to examine autonomous control of heavy winter service equipment in the especially challenging winter conditions of an airport. We hope to obtain findings that will help us to plan the future deployment of equipment even more precisely and efficiently under sudden wintry conditions. Our commitment once again underlines the role of Fraport AG as an innovation driver in a wide range of areas.”