HKIA Autonomous Fleet Surpasses 4 Million Kilometers: UISEE's AI Driver Delivers Proven L4 Commercialization at Global Scale

2026-08-21

What does a next-generation airport look like in

the era of Physical AI? Autonomous tractors handling cargo and baggage transfer

around the clock; electric autonomous shuttles connecting employees and

passengers in all weather conditions; autonomous patrol vehicles supporting

perimeter security operations day and night. At Hong Kong International Airport

(HKIA), these scenarios are already part of daily operations.

As one of the world's leading air cargo hubs, Hong

Kong International Airport has been recognized as the "World's Busiest

Cargo Airport" 15 times, and has emerged as a pioneer in the large-scale

deployment of autonomous driving technology for airport environments. Over the

past seven years, more than 70 L4

autonomous vehicles operating in designated airport zones have accumulated over

4 million kilometers — equivalent to circling the Earth's equator 100 times.

Behind real commercial operations at one of the

world's busiest airports, how can operators maximize both economic efficiency

and the value of their workforce? The AI Driver offers a proven answer.

The Economics of Autonomous Airport Operations

In Hong Kong, airport ground handling operations

face significant labor cost pressures. Rising personnel expenses have created

challenges in recruitment and staffing across the aviation sector. Consider the

economics of tractor operations:

Airport ground handling is a 24/7 operation. A

single tractor working around the clock requires multiple operators under shift

rotation — and when rest periods, statutory holidays, and sick leave are

factored in, maintaining reliable continuous coverage for one vehicle typically

requires a team of four operators.

This staffing model carries significant operational

costs — including salaries, overtime, insurance, training, personnel

management, and recruitment — and the total cost of ownership rises further

when vehicle maintenance is included.

How does this equation change when autonomous

technology augments ground handling teams? UISEE's autonomous tractor fleet at

HKIA currently operates across multiple logistics routes — the longest

stretching 4.7 kilometers — achieving end-to-end automated workflows while

safely coordinating with human-driven airport vehicles. Upon reaching the

designated safe position at the aircraft stand, the tractor automatically

decouples the trailer without manual intervention, then autonomously returns to

the handover area to await the next assignment.

Coverage

of HKIA's Autonomous Driving Project by International

Airport Review

Through precise docking, point-to-point transfer,

intelligent energy management, and extended-hour operations, the AI Driver has

significantly enhanced operational efficiency. As reported by International Airport Review, citing

Steven Yiu, Executive Director of Airport Operations at the Airport Authority

Hong Kong, each autonomous tractor

supports the workload equivalent of four operator shifts, with 56 tractors

enabling the redeployment of more than 200 staff to higher-value roles.

Over seven years of continuous operation, the autonomous solution has fundamentally optimized the airport's

operational cost structure — while the zero-emission electric fleet

contributes to reduced carbon emissions and more sustainable airport logistics.

In operation-intensive environments like airports,

every efficiency gain ultimately translates into improved service reliability

and enhanced operational resilience.

Empowering Workers: From Repetitive Tasks to Higher-Value Roles

Hong Kong has been actively advancing its

"AI+" agenda to promote AI industrialization and industry-wide AI

adoption, enhancing economic competitiveness while delivering tangible benefits

to the community. Throughout this transformation, people remain at the center — AI serves as a tool that frees workers

from the most physically demanding and repetitive tasks, enabling them to focus

on higher-value, more fulfilling work.

On the open-air apron, tractor operators are

routinely exposed to extreme heat, cold, and high noise levels, with

round-the-clock shift work being the norm. What the AI Driver does is take on high-intensity, high-risk, highly

repetitive, and physically strenuous tasks — improving workplace safety and

reducing occupational health risks for ground handling teams.

Through the AI Driver, HKIA has achieved a

meaningful transformation of its workforce structure. Existing operators have

not been displaced — they have transitioned to more valuable roles. This has reshaped the nature of certain airport

positions, allowing the airport to allocate more personnel to technical roles

in the operations control center, while developing talent in fleet management,

software engineering, and specialized supervision.

Operators have evolved from performing

high-intensity manual labor to becoming fleet managers and supervisors. Their

physical workload has decreased, safety risks have been reduced, and career

development opportunities have expanded — which is why the AI Driver has been well received by frontline teams at HKIA.

This support is especially valuable during extreme

weather events. Hong Kong's rainy season runs from April to September. In 2025,

Hong Kong experienced two Hurricane Signal No. 10 events — the highest warning

level. During these extreme rainfall events, maintaining adequate staffing and

continuous operations became a major challenge for the airport.

At HKIA, however, UISEE has implemented

multi-dimensional algorithm optimizations for adverse weather conditions,

enabling the autonomous fleet to maintain robust

perception, reliable localization, and conservative decision-making during

typhoons and heavy rain. Throughout

these events, the autonomous fleet maintained high service availability —

transfer processes remained efficient, and flight handling schedules were

largely preserved. The system provided critical operational support when

the airport needed it most, delivering tangible business value.

From Hong Kong — proven at one of the world's

busiest international airports — UISEE's autonomous driving solution has now

been deployed at 21 airports worldwide. Different locations, shared mission:

the AI Driver takes on the most demanding tasks, making airport operations

safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.