Air Gates of the Northern Capital has begun testing baggage delivery using pilotless wheeled robotic autonomous rovers Piranha, fully Russian-designed and manufactured with domestic software. The cooperation agreement was signed by Maxim Tomskikh, CEO of the Dronshab Group, and Leonid Sergeev, CEO of the Northern Capital Air Gate Company.
At the pilot stage, the devices will transport oversized luggage and luggage of passengers with limited mobility, and provide transportation to the baggage handling service. In the future, they will take over navigation functions and will help passengers navigate in the terminal. As part of the testing, the control will be carried out remotely by the operator. After the training, which will last up to six months, the equipment will work completely independently.
The ground-based unmanned platform can carry loads weighing up to 300 kg and tow loads weighing up to 500 kg. The rover is monitored by the operator remotely via remote communication channels. The advanced modern interface of the operator's ARM allows one person to work simultaneously with several platforms, receiving real-time information about routes, tasks performed, telemetry and video stream from the onboard cameras of each rover.
"The active introduction of unmanned technologies is one of the priorities for Pulkovo Airport. The introduction of automation, robotics and biometrics will allow us to solve a number of important tasks, including increasing labor productivity and customizing service for passengers and airlines," he said. Leonid Sergeev, General Director of the Northern Capital Air Gate Company.
"Today, Piranha is the most powerful and modern rover available on the domestic market, and the first such unmanned robotic platform in Russia, which will be used on the territory of the airport in operational processes," said Maxim Tomskikh, CEO of Dronshab Group.
Piranha can be equipped with specialized equipment to perform various tasks, including highly specific ones: a rotary camera with an additional thermal imaging module, acoustic cameras, radars, gas analyzers, nodes for towing trailers, installing additional attachments, and so on.
One of the features of the rover is also rear-wheel drive with a differential, which is typical for cars, and front swivel wheels. The platform can operate at temperatures from -25°C to +40°C around the clock with short breaks for recharging or replacing batteries. The rover's non–stop operation time is up to 8 hours.
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