Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) and Garuda Maintenance Facility (GMF) AeroAsia have launched two environmentally friendly Ground Support Equipment products, namely Electric Vehicle RC Pushback Tug and Material Handling Car. The launch was held at GMF AeroAsia’s Innovation Day event in Jakarta on March 1, 2023. The launch was attended by Mr. Nadiem Anwar Makarim as the Indonesian Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Dr. Bambang Pramujati as the ITS’ Vice Rector IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni, Mr. Andi Fahrurrozi as the CEO of GMP AeroAsia, and researchers involved from ITS. The products were created to facilitate the distribution and supply of aircraft parts or components, both in the warehouse area, workshop, hangar, and apron area.
The Electric Vehicle RC Pushback Tug and Material Handling Car are part of a research collaboration between ITS and GMF AeroAsia that aims to make the aircraft industry more efficient and effective while reducing its environmental impact. The project is led by Dr. Nani Kurniawati from the Department of Industrial and System Engineering for the Electric Vehicle RC Pushback Tug and Dr. Bambang Sudarmanta from the Department of Mechanical Engineering for the Material Handling Car. The project is funded by the Kedaireka Matching Fund program from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology funds.
The Electric Vehicle RC Pushback Tug is made to address the high operational costs of conventional tugs used in the aircraft industry. The tug can pull large-tonnage objects such as aircraft up to 60 tons, making it efficient and effective. It also becomes the only one in the world that can replace the conventional pushback from fossil fuels. This innovation is not only more cost-effective but also has a positive impact on the environment, as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and lowers operational costs.
The Material Handling Car was created to support the airport’s ecosystem by replacing conventional fuel-based carriers. The car uses electric-based technology with a real-time monitoring system, making it more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Moreover, it features an easy energy storage system and low maintenance through the battery modular system as the leading sector in the application of electric-based vehicles in the airport area. The team believes that the car will have a positive impact on the airport area’s Green Environment Ecosystem, making it a more sustainable and efficient option for airport operations.
The products are designed to be environmentally friendly and easy to maintain, with a modular battery system that makes them efficient and reliable. The teams believe that these products will have a positive impact on the airport area’s Green Environment Ecosystem. The CEO of GMF AeroAsia, Mr. Andi Fahrurrozi, expressed his gratitude to ITS for the research collaboration. He said that GMF was pleased to provide a platform for academics to continue conducting research and that the company was open to other potential topics. This collaboration between ITS and GMF AeroAsia stakeholders is a great example of how academia and industry can work together to make a positive impact on society and the environment.
In conclusion, the launch of these groundbreaking products marks a significant milestone in the aviation industry’s push towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. With innovative solutions like the Electric Vehicle RC Pushback Tug and Material Handling Car, we can reduce our carbon footprint and create a more efficient and effective airport ecosystem.