Exercise in summer: Leipzig Airport tests robotic snow plows

Manufacturer expects breakthrough in 3 to 4 years

The autonomous snow ploughs for the test are provided by Swiss manufacturer Aebi Schmidt, which also equipped the 2023 trial run. Similar tests have already been carried out at Berlin and Stuttgart airports. The manufacturer is confident: in three to four years, the first autonomous devices without drivers should be in normal use. According to Aebi Schmidt, it is the world leader in clearing vehicles for runways.

The industry has high hopes for the new technology. Airports are "particularly suitable locations for autonomous systems, as they offer a clearly demarcated, controlled environment", said Ralph Beisel, Managing Director of the German Airports Association ADV, to dpa at the beginning of June. "If these systems prove to be reliable and economical, they could become the standard in the next few years."

The advantage: the robot snow ploughs can work around the clock and in any weather. And thanks to GPS navigation, they don't stray off course even in the dark or in fog. What's more, the winter service would be ready for action at any time in the event of a sudden onset of winter, without having to call staff from standby first. Even in the middle of the night, when it is peak rush hour at the DHL freight hub in Leipzig/Halle.