What's Happening?
David Keene, founder of Aurrigo International plc, has been awarded an MBE by Prince William for his contributions to the decarbonization of airports. Keene's work in intelligent mobility, particularly through the development of autonomous vehicles like Auto-DollyTug® and Auto-Caro®, has been recognized as a significant innovation in the aviation industry. These vehicles are currently operational at seven airports worldwide, helping to reduce emissions and improve operational efficiency. The MBE comes after Aurrigo International secured a strategic partnership with Swissport and raised £14.1 million to accelerate growth and expand its manufacturing capabilities.
Why It's Important?
The recognition of David Keene's work underscores the importance of sustainable innovations in the aviation sector. As airports and airlines face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint, technologies like those developed by Aurrigo International are crucial. The MBE highlights the role of engineering and manufacturing in driving environmental change and improving passenger experiences. Aurrigo's strategic partnership with Swissport and recent funding will enable the company to scale its operations and further contribute to the global effort to make aviation greener.
What's Next?
Aurrigo International plans to use its recent funding to build demonstrator vehicles and explore relocation to a larger engineering and manufacturing center in Coventry. The company aims to scale production to meet the needs of the airports it serves. With the MBE, David Keene is expected to leverage the honor to open new business opportunities and expand Aurrigo's global presence. The company will continue to focus on innovation and sustainability, potentially influencing industry standards and practices in aviation.
