SATS pilots autonomous cargo vehicles at Changi Airfreight Centre

The service is aimed at freight forwarders and cargo agents and is currently being validated in live operations ahead of full deployment. The ACVs used in the pilot can carry up to 800 kilogrammes of cargo and automate routine point-to-point movements between SATS Airfreight Terminals and freight forwarders' warehouses within the Free Trade Zone.

The solution can be scaled with higher-capacity ACVs capable of carrying up to 1,500 kilogrammes and could potentially support round-the-clock operations. The on-demand cargo transfers are designed to reduce freight forwarders' reliance on truck and driver schedules, which SATS says can speed up cargo collection and delivery so consignees receive shipments sooner.

SATS worked with Changi Airport Group to deploy and validate the ACVs under the airport's autonomous vehicle operational and safety framework, allowing the technology to be tested and progressively integrated into live cargo operations while meeting the safety and operational requirements of the Changi air cargo ecosystem. The vehicles are fully electric, supporting the transition towards more sustainable cargo transportation within the airport environment.

The initiative is part of SATS Singapore Hub's Hub Handler of the Future programme, announced in October 2025, which brings together people, technology and new operating models to increase capacity, improve visibility and strengthen operational resilience. Henry Low, CEO of SATS SG Hub, said autonomous transportation allows the company to rethink how cargo moves through the airport ecosystem, shifting routine movements towards an on-demand, scalable model while unlocking capacity, strengthening resilience and augmenting the capabilities of its people.