Indian startup rolls out smart plane docking system

In an effort to enhance safety and operational efficiency, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have commissioned Inxee Systems’ SmartDock AI system at Srinagar and Amritsar airports.

From Superinnovators 17/07/24

Inxee Systems’ Smart Visual Docking Guidance System (SVDGS) at Srinagar airport. Credit: Inxee Systems

The deployment began earlier this year following a successful pilot at Kolkata airport in 2023.

SmartDock AI is dubbed a Smart Visual Docking Guidance System (S-VDGS) and assists pilots in parking aircraft with precision and speed.

Utilising sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms, the system provides real-time guidance, feedback, and visualisation to pilots across various aircraft types.

This enhances situational awareness and docking accuracy, according to the startup company.

For example, as a plane approaches its dock, a true colour LED display indicates the distance remaining and whether the pilot needs to adjust the alignment, all in real-time.

3D lidar enables SmartDock AI to identify obstacles too, reducing the risk of collisions.

Indeed, the wing of an aircraft collided with the tail of a stationary plane at Heathrow airport in 2022, due in part to the absence or failure of a Visual Docking Guidance System (VDGS).

Inxee Systems’ Smart Visual Docking Guidance System (S-VDGS) at Kolkata airport. Credit: Inxee

SmartDock AI has passed all tests thus far, including snow and fog, where thermal sensors help to keep pilots informed in low visibility conditions.

All-weather resilience coupled with automated airport usage billing are some of the reasons why Inxee claim SmartDock AI surpasses existing Advanced VDGS, deployed by airport infrastructure giants such as ADB Safegate and Honeywell.

Looking back, Visual Docking Guidance Systems first emerged in the 1970s at some airports in developed countries.

Their limited, often manual functionality was upended in the late 2000s with the launch of Advanced Visual Docking Guidance Systems leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) sensors – remember that?

That said, the long procurement cycles for airport infrastructure mean that the latest innovations can take a decade to see action.

This is where the Airports Authority of India (AAI) hope they can do some leapfrogging with first-time deployments of SmartDock AI.

In addition to Kolkata, Srinagar and Amritsar, there are plans for deployment at Hyderabad airport, operated by GMR, with potential future installations at Delhi airport, also GMR’s, according to a report in Times of India.

SmartDock AI at Srinagar airport in snow

Kolkata airport

At #AAI’s @SrinagarAirport, the Smart Visual Docking Guidance System (S-VDGS) SmartDockAI has been recently installed to revolutionise the docking process for pilots. This facility provides them with precise guidance and enhanced situational awareness during aircraft parking. pic.twitter.com/HiRYoTKxKD
— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) January 22, 2024