Autonomous Bus to transfer passengers to the aircraft
The Challenge
Every day, airport staff at Schiphol carry out hundreds of short, repetitive drives—trips that take no more than 30 seconds. While necessary, these tasks offer little challenge for employees and can become monotonous over time. Finding a workforce willing to take on such highly repetitive work is increasingly difficult, especially as the labor market evolves.
Technology is already making this possible. We’ve seen self-driving taxis operating in San Francisco, proving that autonomous mobility is no longer a distant dream. Schiphol, with its controlled and predictable airside traffic, presents an ideal testing ground to explore whether autonomous shuttles can revolutionize airport operations.
But Schiphol has a bold vision for the future. By 2050, the Royal Schiphol Group aims to operate the most sustainable and high-quality airports in the world. A key part of this ambition is transitioning to fully automated, zero-emission ground operations. The goal? A fleet of autonomous vehicles seamlessly handling airside mobility, with human staff shifting to more supervisory and strategic roles.
Scouting & Selection
Schiphol set out to explore autonomous bus solutions that could meet its strict operational and safety requirements. During the challenge shaping, AIR supported the Airside team to create a clear briefing for the team
After scouting the global market of autonomous buses (and eliminating many of the usual suspects) a handful found of solutions met the criteria. We did careful engagement calls to assure quality, motivation and fit. We selected Ohmio, a company from New-Zealand with significant used-cases at other airports.
Proof of concept
Step 1: Testing the Tech
The first phase focused on the basics—assessing technical capabilities and ease of use in a controlled setting. This ensured the Ohmio shuttles could operate smoothly before moving to a more complex environment.
Step 2: Navigating the Apron
Now, the real challenge begins. The apron is a high-traffic zone with moving aircraft, ground crews, and constant activity. In collaboration with KLM Cityhopper and KLM Ground Services, Schiphol is testing self-driving electric shuttles on a fixed route between Apron A and the terminal. Equipped with LIDAR, GPS, and 360-degree sensors, these vehicles can detect and navigate around obstacles up to 30 meters away, ensuring safe and efficient crew transport.
What’s Next?
These trials bring Schiphol closer to fully integrating autonomous transport into airport operations, shaping a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future for airside mobility.
When does it close?
How do I apply?
How do I apply?
