Challenge yourself with Airport Innovation Runway.
We are looking for innovators like you to tackle our toughest challenges.
Projects
Challenge yourself with Airport Innovation Runway.
We foresee a future where innovative, sustainable, and accessible energy revolutionises the aviation industry, and we are eager to collaborate with solution providers to bring this vision to life.
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Increase passenger waste separation at our airports.
Scouting & Pilot
Royal Schiphol Group (RSG) aims to operate the world’s most sustainable airports. One of our current challenges is managing passenger waste in the terminal. We recognize that the separation of residual waste can be improved – and we are actively scanning the market for the best possible solutions; if you can help us we want to hear from you!
Solutions can include technologies, processes, systems or ways to influence behaviors, all aimed to reduce the amount of residual waste generated by passengers and to improve the quality of recyclable streams.
Additionally, we are dedicated to enhancing the passenger experience. The potential solutions for this challenge should not only lead to less residual waste but also create better recycling and reuse opportunities, with happier passengers in the terminal.
What is the best Taxibot in the world?
Scouting
Sustainable Taxiing at Schiphol Airport Aviation faces the pressing challenge of significantly reducing CO₂ emissions — not only in the air but also on the ground.. Before implementing this solution at scale, as part of the procurement process, AIR scouted all possible solutions to validate if current innovation Taxibot is still the most cutting-edge solution. After een deep comparison of all solutions, we concluded Taxibot is the preferred option for the scaling phase.
How might we use EV chargers for load balancing?
Scouting & Pilot
Royal Schiphol Group aims to operate the most sustainable and high-quality airports in the world. With increasing demand on energy infrastructure it is critical that we support a flexible and even distribution of electricity across the grid, preventing overloading in specific areas and ensuring a stable power supply. Royal Schiphol Group see it as our societal responsibility to take a leading role in this. Therefore we are looking for BSPs, BRPs, CSPs and other market players who can help us turn our EV chargers into load balancing assets.
Autonomous aircraft-to-ground power connections
Scouting & Pilot
Are you an expert in building autonomous solutions, robotics, or computer vision? Schiphol is looking for an autonomous solution capable of connecting the aircraft into ground power (both mobile and fixed power) when it is parked d, and removing the power plug from the aircraft prior to take off. Successfully addressing this challenge would have a direct positive impact on ground staff H&S and operational efficiency, making it a high priority for Schiphol Group.
Research: Developments in baggage handling
Research to find technological opportunities to lower the physical strain of employees in the baggage handling process.Schiphol Airport’s baggage handling teams keep operations running smoothly, but the job isn’t easy. The work is physically demanding, repetitive, and takes a toll on employees over time. With labour shortages and evolving workforce expectations, Schiphol needed a fresh approach to improve working conditions while integrating smarter automation. With a major presentation to the Labour Inspection on the horizon, the airport needed clear, actionable insights - fast. That’s where innovation came in. Our market research uncovered practical, high-impact solutions that could transform baggage handling at Schiphol. To find the most fitting innovations, we took a deep dive into the market, combining data-driven analysis with industry expertise.
Solutions to filter ultra fine particles
Scouting & Pilot
The Royal Schiphol Group (RSG) aims to reduce the spread of Ultra Fine Particles (UFPs) around the airport to protect public health. However, without clear data on UFP levels, decisions were difficult. To solve this, RSG and TNW scouted 13 companies offering sensor solutions that measure particle size, chemical composition, and real-time UFP concentrations. These technologies help provide critical insights and ensure alignment across projects. Key requirements included high-frequency measurement, particle monitoring accuracy, and strict data security. Schiphol has started integrating selected solutions to better manage UFP emissions and continue advancing sustainable airport operations.
Validating & testing the best baggage handling robot arm
To accelerate baggage handling innovation, AIR launched a two-week scouting project to find solutions for heavy lifting and robotics. Danish company Cobot, specializing in collaborative robots, was selected from a longlist and successfully piloted over six weeks. Following the pilot, Schiphol’s board approved a plan to deploy 19 Cobots by the end of 2023. If successful, a commercial partnership will be explored. The project moved rapidly from idea to implementation, driven by a shared can-do attitude. Schiphol and Cobot are now also exploring future extensions, including autonomous driving and lifting capabilities for Cobots.
Technologies to to detect APU status
Scouting & Pilot
To decrease emissions on the airside, it is important for pilots to turn off the APU as soon as possible. To enforce this guideline, Schiphol is exploring the use of different technologies to detect APU usage around the airside. In this report, we have researched and scouted the existing solutions and technologies available to detect whether an APU is switched on or off.
Autonomous Bus to transfer passengers to the aircraft
Scouting & Pilot
RSG is poised to transition to Autonomous Airside operations by enhancing its shuttle transportation service. The scouting was aimed to accumulate a large number of potential AGVs which have the necessary specifications to adjust to Schiphol Airport's varying roads at the airside. It resulted in running a pilot for Schiphol's first autonomous shuttle service with partner Ohmio.
Snow melting
Quick Market Scan
How can a pile of snow be melted sustainably, so that the snow is turned into water that can be transported to the chemical waste company? AIR provided an overview of the different directions Schiphol can take in finding cost-effective solutions to melt snow sustainably
Find the all the autonomous wheelchair innovations
Scouting
After overwhelmingly positive responses from actual users during our Proof of Concept, we are now exploring the possibilities for launching a tender for autonomous wheelchairs to enhance our services for passengers with remote mobility at Schiphol.
Finding the terminal robot to navigate busy crowds
Scouting
The future will inevitably be more autonomous than we're used to. In order for Schiphol to maintain a leading position in innovation, it is key to experiment with AI & Robotics. That is why AIR is looking for the best AI driven robot to operate tasks in crowded areas in the terminal. Think of navigating passengers to the right gate with short short layover time.
Past CHALLENGES
Check out our past success (and great learning) stories!
See below some examples of the great innovative work done at Schiphol recently
Autonomous buses at airside
Can we leverage autonomous technology to address transportation challenges on airside? Autonomous shuttles offer a solution to airports traffic congestion and bus driver shortages, but integration must align with strict airport safety standards.
Baggage robots at Schiphol Airport
Schiphol has been testing baggage robots. In the past six months, these robots have been developed in double-quick time, specially for Schiphol. The robots take over from humans the physically heavy element of baggage: lifting the suitcases.
Monitoring APU usage to reduce emissions
How can we reduce ultrafine particle emissions and improve the working environment on the airside? Schiphol is partnering with a technology company to monitor whether aircraft are not using their APU and thereby emitting ultrafine particles. A Proof of Concept is currently being developed to validate the effectiveness of the solution.
Testing an Autonomous Baggage Vehicle
During peak hours, it is important to take pressure off the baggage handlers. Schiphol is collaborating with KLM and technology provider Aurrigo to create a Proof of Concept for an electric self-driving vehicle that can process baggage in the most efficient way.