Ultra Global partners with Aurrigo on autonomous airport vehicle fleet with trials set for the UK

Autonomous transit system developer Ultra Global has awarded a £6.28m contract to Coventry-based autonomy specialist Aurrigo International to design and manufacture a fleet of 25 autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) aimed at airport and passenger transit operations. The vehicles are expected to be developed through 2026 and into production and testing in 2027.

image: Aurrigo - David Keene, Chief Executive Officer

Under the agreement Aurrigo will upgrade Ultra Global’s platform with new power systems, advanced sensing, software and other enhancements to deliver a bespoke autonomous fleet for demonstration and commercial engagement in both UK and international markets.

Jonathan Keeling, director of Ultra Global, said Aurrigo stood out in the global partner evaluation process for its capability to deliver a full vehicle solution from platform development through advanced technology implementation. The initial AGV batch will be used for customer demonstrations and to support commercial engagement as the partners pursue further deployment opportunities.

David Keene, Chief Executive Officer of Aurrigo International, added, “The programme will support engineering and manufacturing activity in the West Midlands, a region with a strong heritage in vehicle production. We’re proud to be building on that history and putting the expertise of our teams to work on the next generation of autonomous vehicles.”

The rollout will target airports and passenger transit hubs where autonomous shuttles and people‑mover systems could be trialled as part of broader infrastructure upgrades. Although specific sites have not been formally announced, regional UK airports — including smaller hubs exploring innovation in ground operations — are among the potential early adopters.

Autonomous vehicles are anticipated to have a growing impact on airport ground operations by improving efficiency, reducing reliance on manual labour, and lowering operational costs. Self‑driving shuttles and baggage carriers can perform repetitive tasks such as moving luggage, supplies and passengers across terminal precincts or between gates.

Continuous and precisely scheduled autonomous operations can also help reduce delays during periods of peak activity, while electric propulsion systems support environmental goals by cutting carbon emissions and noise on airport ramps and service routes.

The partnership with Ultra Global aligns with Aurrigo’s strategy to expand its autonomous vehicle programmes following a capital raise and represents the company’s largest autonomous vehicle order to date.

Ultra Global is wholly owned by Next Gen Mobility, a substantial shareholder in Aurrigo. As a result, the contract is being treated as a related‑party transaction under AIM rules, though the boards of both companies have confirmed they consider the terms fair and reasonable for shareholders.