ADB SAFEGATE and Assaia have successfully delivered pilot projects featuring a first-of-its-kind concept at a number of pioneer airports around the world.

The concept combines ADB SAFEGATE’s Safedock A-VDGS built-in cameras with Assaia’s ApronAI image recognition capabilities to record turnaround events in real-time. With a simpler, more cost effective way of getting greater visibility and control over the ground handling process, airports can reduce delays, boost apron efficiency and safety.

ADB SAFEGATE teams up with Assaia to make data-driven airside operations a reality

Solution offers airports unprecedented transparency and resilience in apron operations

“We don’t know how the demand for air travel will shape up, but we do know that the variance and complexity of aircraft turnarounds will be even higher than before the pandemic,” says Max Diez, CEO of Assaia International AG. “While reliable, real-time data is key to managing the orderly reboot of the aviation industry, most airports aren’t in a position to make big investments. Our collaboration with ADB SAFEGATE offers a perfect solution allowing airports to regain control over their airside operations. For many airports, this is just a software upgrade away.”

With more than 10,000 units installed, ADB SAFEGATE’s Safedock A-VDGS is the world’s most widely deployed docking system. Together with SafeControl Apron Management, the Safedock A-VDGS supports safer, smoother docking and can also track the progress of the aircraft turn and share vital information with flight and ground crews, to further streamline the turnaround.

SafeControl Apron Management (SAM) integrates with Assaia’s AI-driven software to tap into the surveillance cameras that already reside in the majority of the Safedock systems. The video analytics algorithms detect visible turnaround-related events in real time. The data, together with events captured by the A-VDGS, is then displayed in the SAM user interface. In addition to receiving safety alerts on unusual ground movement from this solution, airports can get highly accurate predictions on the time an aircraft is ready to commence the departure process.

“This data-driven approach provides much needed clarity on airside operations at a fraction of the installation costs and user training efforts required previously, and it comes at a time when airports are being compelled to rethink every aspect of their operations,” said Peter Håkansson, Head of Product Management – Gate, ADB SAFEGATE. Through partnerships with leading companies like Assaia, we’re exploring innovative ways to help airports be more resilient.”

Video analytics is far more cost-effective and easier to manage than the alternative sensor-based technology. The positive feedback from the pilot projects conducted by the companies in the last twelve months further validates the benefits of this integrated solution.