CONCEPT DESIGN

2022

OVERVIEW

THE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFORMING BAGGAGE HANDLING.

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According to a recent study by aviation tech company SITA, mishandling of luggage – which includes damage, delays, theft, or loss – reached 24% in 2021, with the annual cost for the air transport industry at $600 million in 2020. Human error is the primary cause of mishandling, but this can be prevented with AI-based tagging systems. Manual handling of baggage and cargo also poses risks, which may lead to injuries among ground handlers.

Movus is an electric autonomous cargo vehicle designed to transport any cargo, including luggage, within the airport apron area between the baggage handling system (BHS) and the airplane. Movus ensures safety, hygiene, and prevents luggage mishandling, providing better control over air-cargo transportation. As an electric vehicle, Movus has a lower carbon footprint than traditional cars and trucks with internal combustion engines. Furthermore, its total emission per mile is lower than comparable cars with internal combustion engines. Implementing Movus into airport facilities can bring long-term advantages for low carbon and low emission measures.

NEW TECHNOLOGY

FULL AUTOMATION THROUGH SENSORS AND AI.

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Movus provides an efficient luggage transfer solution for airports. Our AI-based system automatically determines the number of Movus units required for loading and unloading baggage between the baggage handling system and airplane. If additional capacity is needed, a new Movus unit can be added seamlessly through our vehicle to vehicle protocol.

With our proprietary Smart Routing Algorithm, Movus can navigate autonomously within the airport apron area. The algorithm incorporates two lidar sensors on top of the vehicle to sense depth and distance, as well as two stereo cameras on the front to improve short-distance image processing, which helps to avoid obstacles.

Our system enhances safety and reduces the risk of luggage mishandling, while also promoting sustainability by operating as an electric vehicle with a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional, internal combustion engine vehicles. With the integration of Movus into airport facilities, we aim to contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions in the long-term.

EXTERIOR DESIGN

DESIGN DNA: “BOLD DISTINCTION”

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When we set out to design an electric cargo vehicle, we began by conducting extensive research on emerging trends in autonomous functional vehicles in the market. Based on our findings, we identified four major approaches:

UNIBODY
ROBOTIC
ONLY-PLATFORM
STORAGE BOX

After careful consideration of the essential needs for transporting luggage and airplane cargo, we initially felt that the ONLY-PLATFORM approach was the most suitable. However, because UV sanitizing was a key function of the vehicle, we needed an isolated storage area on top. As a result, we decided to continue with a complete vehicle design while visually distinguishing the platform, which contains the necessary internal structure to power and drive the vehicle, from the container, which serves as the main purpose of the vehicle.

INTERIOR DESIGN

ENHANCED SAFETY, HYGIENE & LUGGAGE HANDLING

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PROPULSION AND BATTERY TECHNOLOGY

Movus is propelled by four electric motors, located within the hub of each wheel, that drive the vehicle directly and independently. The chassis of the vehicle houses three solid-state battery modules, which offer several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state batteries have a more stable electrolyte structure, which enhances their safety and allows for higher energy storage. They also offer faster charging times and have a smaller form factor in terms of weight and size, making them ideal for powering an electric cargo vehicle like Movus.

INTERIOR COMPARTMENTS

The interior of Movus is designed to maximize efficiency and safety. It features three layered cargo compartments with adjustable loading and unloading doors on both sides, which are positioned to the current layer during operation. The doors are operated by linear actuators, ensuring smooth and precise movement.

The cargo compartments inside are equipped with a modular conveyor system, which enables easy positioning of cargo and luggage of any size. The modularity is provided by triangular modules with three omni-wheels positioned 120 degrees apart. These wheels can rotate in clockwise or counter-clockwise directions, allowing Movus to move luggage into the desired place with ease.

To enhance security and prevent lost baggage, each layer of the cargo compartments is equipped with integrated barcode scanners. These scanners can read airline barcodes and provide real-time status information to both luggage owners and baggage operators.

In addition, the interior of Movus is designed to be flexible, with adjustable configurations that can accommodate a variety of cargo sizes and shapes. Whether you need to transport suitcases, boxes, or other items, Movus provides a safe and efficient solution.

SAFETY & HYGIENE MEASURES

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to the airline industry, with passenger safety and hygiene becoming a top priority for airlines around the world. While airlines have implemented various measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew, there is one area that has been largely overlooked: LUGGAGE and AIR CARGO.

Throughout their journey, luggage and air cargo are handled by multiple people, from check-in to baggage claim, which increases the risk of viral transmission. This is where MOVUS comes in. The cutting-edge safety and hygiene technology is equipped with 48 UV-C lamps, with 16 lamps on each layer, to eliminate bacteria, viruses, and fungi to a desired concentration. After loading/unloading is complete, the doors are sealed, and the UV-C light has been proven to be effective in eradicating pathogens. Using UV technology to sterilize luggage is an effective way for airlines to significantly reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other diseases.

It’s not just about the COVID-19 pandemic, though. UV technology can also help prevent the spread of other diseases, such as the flu, norovirus, and MRSA. As the airline industry continues to recover from the pandemic, it is important for airlines to invest in technologies that can help prevent the spread of disease and ensure the safety and well-being of passengers and crew.