How AI and computer vision is improving airport efficiency
October 7, 2024
AI is revolutionising airport operations by streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency and improving passenger experience.
Intelligent algorithms are used for a range of tasks, from real-time data analysis and optimising flight scheduling, to baggage handling and staff allocation.
AI-driven predictive maintenance systems help identify potential issues in equipment before they cause delays, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. Passenger flow is also improved with AI-powered facial recognition and biometric screening, speeding up security and boarding procedures. Overall, AI is driving smoother, more efficient airport operations, and companies such as Assaia are developing new tools to facilitate this growth.
Christiaan Hen, Assaia’s CEO, spoke to Aerospace Global News about the implementation of its new ApronAI and TurnaroundControl AI solutions at airports to optimise turnaround operations, and how AI and computer vision is improving airport efficiency more generally.
How is AI and computer vision improving airport efficiency? Where airport operations have typically been monitored manually, AI and computer vision technologies provide users with greater visibility and predictive insights for each aspect of the turnaround process.
At Assaia, we use built-in cameras and sensors across the apron to monitor operations from airport arrival until departure, with automated alerts being implemented to signal to our stakeholders if any part of the process is falling behind schedule. This gives our users greater control over their activities, allowing them to predict issues and automate processes proactively to improve airport efficiency.
Such technologies are particularly crucial during peak times, when airports are under immense pressure to operate effectively and on time. Using AI and computer vision software like ours, airlines can ensure tasks run smoothly and with ease for both them and their passengers.
How do Assaia’s ApronAI and TurnaroundControl AI solutions optimise turnaround operations at airports?
We use a combination of AI and computer vision to provide airports, airlines, and ground handlers with greater insight into the turnaround process at airports. Our solutions seamlessly integrate with existing airport infrastructure by leveraging APIs and data-sharing protocols, allowing for real-time data exchange between stakeholders to ensure issues are identified and resolved as they arise. Our airport customers use our solutions to act on any delay alerts and communicate with ground handlers to rectify the situation.
With ApronAI, we are modernising and digitalising how airports and airlines manage ground operations, eliminating bottlenecks, reducing costly delays, and optimising the turnaround process.
Using strategically placed cameras, ApronAI provides real-time data on each aspect of the turnaround, ensuring airlines have full insights into their activities. Similarly, our TurnaroundControl solution uses computer vision technology to maximise on-time performance, coordinating stakeholders to manage and mitigate predicted issues.
How can these solutions help airports and airlines be on time despite weather changes? With AI-based technology, airports are provided with complete visibility to monitor, predict, and mitigate disruptions, including those caused by weather changes.The turnaround can be monitored through each individual aspect, where such weather-dependent processes as de-icing can be taken into further account to allocate and prioritise scheduling around these tasks.
Our solutions also analyse weather-related data, detecting how these conditions may impact ground operations. Additionally, our AI-based technology monitors for any safety violations or hazardous situations that may be heightened by adverse weather. The insights make user tasks more flexible, data-driven, and efficient enabling proactive planning and real-time responses to maximise on-time performance.
