A baggage transfer device for aircraft. The device is placed in the cargo area of an aircraft providing a lifting mechanism to safely and efficiently transfer baggage between a ramp surface and a cargo entry. The baggage transfer device is operated on 24 VDC using either a fiber cable or driveshaft for moving a trolley mechanism along a track.

Examples are disclosed that relate to automated tracking of aircraft turnaround. One example provides a method, comprising obtaining object classification data for a plurality of image frames, the object classification data comprising location data for a fuselage of the aircraft and location data for a loadable object, determining a first distance between the fuselage and the loadable object in a first frame of the plurality of image frames, and determining a second distance between the fuselage and the loadable object in a second, later frame of the plurality of image frames. The method further comprises determining that the loadable object is being loaded based at least on the second distance being less than the first distance, or determining that the loadable object is being unloaded based at least on the second distance being greater than the first distance, and outputting the determination.

A baggage search method including following processes: an information acquisition process for acquiring a search target information including a search target image of a search target baggage and a target ID stored in a radio tag attached to the search target baggage, an image collation process for collating a pictured area that contains at least a part of a baggage group containing the search target baggage selected by an operator with the search target image included in the search target information by a processing unit, a displaying process for displaying the pictured area highlighting a baggage area in which the target baggage is included and an ID collation process which the processing unit collates an ID of the radio tag read by the tag communication unit of an operator terminal operated by the operator with the target ID included in the search target information.

A baggage chute cushion to reduce damage to passenger baggage includes a layer of loose foam blocks; a resilient inner impact absorbing member including a contiguous layer of foam; and an outer casing covering the layer of loose foam blocks and the resilient inner impact absorbing member. The outer casing includes a rip-resistant fabric, and the contiguous layer of foam holds the layer of loose foam blocks within the outer casing.

A pallet for transporting cargo on an inclined conveyer belt with a surface texture including a plurality of recesses. The pallet comprises an upper surface for supporting the cargo and a bottom side supported by the included conveyer belt. The bottom side has a plurality of protrusions distributed across the area of the bottom side for engaging the plurality of recesses and arresting the pallet when the pallet is transported on the inclined conveyer belt.

Implementations are directed to a computer-implemented method that includes broadcasting, by one or more computing devices, a request that indicates a need for a number of carts at a location; receiving confirmation from one or more carts that accept the request, the one or more carts are carts that are close to the location; sending instructions to the one or more carts instructing the one or more carts to navigate to the location; receiving, from a scanner of a baggage handling system, scanned data of baggage that is loaded into the one or more carts assigned to transport the baggage; receiving, from each of the one or more carts, a message indicating the cart is full; and sending instructions to each cart to navigate to a destination of the baggage according to a list of bags inside each cart.

One variation of a system for automating transfer of luggage units within an airport includes: a platform configured to navigate along an autonomous work zone located within an airport luggage bay between a luggage carousel and luggage carts; a robotic arm arranged on the platform; an optical sensor defining a field of view intersecting the luggage carousel; and a controller. The controller is configured to: select a luggage unit, depicted in an image captured by the optical sensor, for retrieval from the luggage carousel; derive a target engagement specification for retrieving the luggage unit based on characteristics of the luggage unit; trigger the robotic arm to engage the luggage unit according to the target engagement specification; trigger the robotic arm to extract the luggage unit from the luggage carousel; and trigger the robotic arm to locate the luggage unit in a luggage cart located within the airport luggage bay.