The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has tapped NATS to develop a smart digital tower prototype for Singapore’s Changi Airport. According to NATS, it will be the world’s “largest and most complex” airport to trial the technology.
The contract covers the setup of multiple fixed-position cameras, which would feed live video images onto a large video wall. During the trial, advanced camera and video stitching tools from Canada’s Searidge Technologies would provide an enhanced view of the airport with live operational data overlaid as a “head-up display,” NATS said. Cameras would be able to track, pan, tilt and zoom. Radar and weather data could also be augmented on screen. This project would take 22 months.
“In concert with Singapore’s Smart Nation drive, we are leveraging digital technology to transform the aviation industry in Singapore in many different ways,” said Director-General of CAAS Kevin Shum. “We look forward to working closely with NATS to co-develop the operational procedures and processes required to deploy the smart digital tower for Changi Airport.”
NATS, Searidge Technologies, Sinapore Technologies Electronics Ltd. and HungaroControl are working together for the project. “I believe the work we do together over the next two years will help shape how smart digital tower and smart airport technologies are applied to hub airports all over the world,” said Martin Rolfe, NATS CEO. “It’s a huge vote of confidence not just in NATS’ operational capabilities, but also our partners at Searidge Technologies.”