It has taken just two short years, but in that time start-up AeroVect has designed, built – and is now delivering – software which will enable airport vehicles to drive autonomously.

The San Francisco company has announced a major deal with global handler dnata for some 100 units, to be rolled out in the US, Dubai and Europe.

AeroVect is a ‘typical’ start-up story of two Harvard graduates designing the software in their garage during lockdown. It aims to revolutionise ground support with its technology, which first maps airports digitally, and then can be placed on any vehicle enabling them to self-drive, negating the need for training or labour.

With airports, airlines and handlers currently struggling to find sufficient staff, the technology has come at a good time.