KLM Cargo goes AutonomousTU/e: E.Ross, E.Stamatopoulos, K.Emam, E.LefeberKLM: R.Beugen, R.Gravekamp, B.Goossens, D.Kanhai, K.Wiegand

/Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) Automotive Systems Design (ASD)

1. Why Autonomous?

Automotive Systems Designasd@tue.nlP.O. Box 5135600 MBEindhoven, The Netherlands

• A dedicated program was launched in 2014 by KLM toimprove the performance of the cargo hub. The programaims to make cargo handling process more efficient andsmarter. This way KLM Cargo can deliver the highestpossible service quality at the lowest possible cost.

• Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) technology is becomingmore cost-effective and more reliable.

• Improvement of workplace; increase labor safety.

• A countermeasure for the predicted high retirement ratein the next decades and the predicted high labor cost inthe future.

Figure 2. Schiphol Airport layout

The proposed AGV system is composed of a“smart” platform, which is capable of:

• Autonomous driving

• Auto – parking in predefined parking zones

• Auto – docking in the warehouse conveyors

• Auto – loading and unloading of the ULDs

• Auto – locking of the ULDs on top of the AGV

Furthermore, the suggested concept designenhances safety, by realizing a highly advancedobject detection system for collision avoidance.

Electrification of the AGV system results in zerofuel emissions and considers a greener futureenvironment.

2. Background

3. Project goal

Figure 4. Visualization of a proposed future concept for the year 2021

Figure 1. KLM Cargo trains

KLM Cargo is employing the expertise ofEindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) tostudy the feasibility of enhancing the currentcargo system to deploy self driving fortransporting the cargo on the airside. The aimof the study is to:

• Propose different design concepts for thefuture system based on a systemsengineering design approach.

• Assess the respective economical,technological, legal and operationalfeasibility of each concept.

• Offer a list of potential partners for realizingthe future system together with KLM Cargo.

• Provide a plan for a pilot study and anintegration plan for the full AGV system.

ScopeThe focus of this study is to investigate drivingautonomously on the airside of the warehouseto transport both inbound and outbound cargo(figure 2 and 3). The autonomous cargo vehiclesare going to operate without a driver betweenthe transshipment area and a planned bufferzone on the platform using the A4 route.This buffer zone offers a temporary storage for

the cargo nearer to the gates prior to their flightby longer period of time. This buffer decreasesthe need for working on tight schedules andsaves the time used to drive on the busy RinseHofstraweg route.

Figure 3. Simplified diagram for KLM Warehouse Operations

Rinse Hofstraweg

Description

A4 Route

Concept DesignThis study provides KLM Cargo with the estimatedinvestment costs and the expected time for theReturn On Investment (ROI). Furthermore, a pathto the future shape of KLM Cargo is drawn bysetting up the guidelines for implementing a pilotfor testing the capabilities of the proposed systemand for reaching a firm risk assessment for theimplementation of the full system.

The interfacing of the proposed AGV system withthe warehouse and KLM Cargo’s personnel wasalso taken into consideration for a clearrealization of the future system.

KLM Cargo is getting ready for the future ! ! !

The Automotive Systems Design PDEng trainees,the authors of this work, would like to thank KLMCargo for their cooperative and friendly way ofwork to reach the expected goals from this study.

Road To The Future

3. Future Concept