29 July 2015
CYCLECT is pleased to announce the signing of a Collaboration Agreement with CYBERDYNE INC to develop an advanced robotic solution and intelligence system for CAAS’s Aviation Challenge 1. This collaboration is part of Cyclect’s proposed solution which was selected to receive funding for further development.
Background of the Agreement
Singapore’s aviation industry is facing a manpower crunch to keep up with the tremendous increase in global movement of people at Changi Airport. Faced with this challenging future, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has launched the Changi Aviation Challenge 1 to automate the baggage handling process for narrow body aircraft with minimal human intervention and oversight.
Cyclect’s proposal to automate the baggage handling system included the use and integration of robotic arms, tracking systems, intelligent trolleys and exoskeletons. Cyclect aims to reduce manpower dependency and increase productivity through process automation where possible, by upgrading laborious workers into robotics controllers. In areas where human intervention is necessary, Cyclect will provide futuristic tools to prevent chronic injury. This effort is also part of Cyclect’s strategy to participate in the innovative field of robotics technology.
As part of the proposal, Cyclect will work with Cyberdyne, a leading Japanese robotics and technology company, well-known for their development of the HAL Robotic Exoskeleton Suit. The suit provides baggage handlers with supportive robotic exoskeletons that help to alleviate the pressure on their backs when lifting and carrying loads, thus increasing output and preventing chronic back pain.
By integrating Cyclect’s expertise and experience in providing engineering solutions that are environmentally and economically sustainable, with Cyberdyne’s cutting edge products, the two companies intend to create a vision for the future airport with robot technologies.
Mr. Melvin Tan, Managing Director of Cyclect says: “As air travel continues to grow in Singapore, the industry faces the triple challenges of an aging labour population, lower birthrate and reduction of foreign workforce. It is crucial for Singapore to innovate and find solutions for labour-intensive operations such as baggage and cargo handling in airports and ports. The collaboration agreement is entered with a driven goal that, the brilliant products that Cyberdyne creates, complemented with the depth of Cyclect’s industry knowledge, will solve many of the future problems that Singapore will face. What was previously science fiction, is today Completely Possible.”
The Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony was held at Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore on 29th July 2015. CYCLECT was represented by Managing Director, Mr. Melvin Tan and Director, Mr. Marcus Tan while CYBERDYNE was represented by CEO and President, Professor Yoshiyuki Sankai and Director and Head of Business Promotion Department, Mr. Kuno Takatoshi.