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SATS unveils AR glasses to speed up ramp handling operations

SINGAPORE – Airport services operator SATS on Tuesday (Sept 5) introduced augmented reality (AR) smart glasses for its ramp handling operations in a major boost to productivity, as Changi Airport continues to grow and set new records for passenger traffic.

SINGAPORE – Airport services operator SATS on Tuesday (Sept 5) introduced augmented reality (AR) smart glasses for its ramp handling operations in a major boost to productivity, as Changi Airport continues to grow and set new records for passenger traffic.

Touted to be the world’s first, the ergonomically-designed smart glasses to be worn by SATS’ ramp operators in Singapore will provide them with critical information such as loading instructions in real-time. Using the AR technology, they will be able to scan visual markers found on baggage and cargo containers that provide details such as weight, unit number, loading sequence and the allocated position within the aircraft. This hands-free process improves safety, and increases the accuracy and efficiency of baggage and cargo loading.

The smart glasses will be introduced in phases, with full implementation expected by the middle of next year, SATS said, adding that about 600 staff are undergoing training on the new technology. The project was developed in partnership with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which co-funded the development cost.

Mr Alex Hungate, President and Chief Executive Officer of SATS, said: “By introducing AR to our ground handling operations, we are improving services for airlines, passengers and airfreight shippers,” noting that the move can shorten loading time by as much as 15 minutes. This would create competitive advantages for airlines, as waiting times for passengers and airfreight shippers are shortened, he added.

“With (global) passenger demand forecast to double by 2035 to 7.2 billion air travellers, we are preparing to handle more passengers, aircraft and airfreight. SATS is embracing technology to handle these volume increases in an innovative, sustainable way,” he said.

Changi Airport — which was voted the world’s No 1 airport for the fifth consecutive year by air travellers at the 2017 Skytrax World Airport Awards — is on course to handle a new record of 60 million passengers this year. It served a record 58.7 million passengers last year.

SATS’ smart glasses come with an onboard processor with video recording features and wireless capabilities. Video streaming enhances the visibility of ramp-handling operations across the airport by providing the ramp control centre a real-time view of ground-handling processes. Controllers can better supervise and provide instructions to operators on how to handle cargo with special handling requirements. They will also have enhanced oversight of the loading process, which will enable greater flexibility in manpower management.

SATS is a leading provider of gateway services and food solutions in Asia. Its gateway services encompass airfreight handling, passenger services, ramp handling, baggage handling, aviation security services, aircraft interior and exterior cleaning as well as cruise centre management. Its food solutions include airline catering, institutional and remote catering, as well as food distribution and logistics. SATS is present at 55 cities, 47 airports and 14 countries across Asia and the Middle East.

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