Our new logistics department in Lillestrøm is working on intelligent automation of baggage systems, or BRAINS™, as we call it, and in the future we will focus on more advanced automation solutions.

The department in Lillestrøm consists of six, soon to be seven, employees, who are currently working extensively with Avinor Tromsø's new BRAINS™ baggage handling system.

«We are further strengthening the department with a new technical manager for automation, which means that we can also work with automation solutions on our industrial deliveries. Martin Haga, COO, Tratec Solutions.

BRAINS™ (Baggage Routing And Information System®) is a system consisting of a number of intelligent and automated applications for baggage handling.

How does an intelligent baggage system work?

Our baggage handling system optimises the flow of baggage using smart technological solutions. The system can control everything from the speed of baggage belts, the distribution of traffic if queues form, and the release of priority baggage.

In addition, the system optimises the planning and configuration of bins for flights, loaders and carousels for arriving baggage, total energy consumption, wear and tear and noise consumption.

The facility and the flow of baggage is animated in real time with visualisation of the condition of the baggage, allowing operators to have a total overview of what is happening, as opposed to SCADA systems, which only show the condition of the equipment (for example, if an X-ray machine has a warning or error situation).

Scheduling of check-in desks, use of bins, loaders, X-ray machines, MES, and carousels is done automatically by the system based on experience, information from personnel and a real-time overview of what is happening (passengers arriving at the airport, arriving aircraft, etc.).

We have a brand new BigData platform that allows us to share information in a broad and effective way, enabling efficiency and planning on a whole new level. In addition, our baggage handling system can predict maintenance based on usage and past experience.

For airports, this system will create huge savings, not only for the individual airport, but also when it comes to interacting with all airports around the world, providing a complete overview of the baggage flow from A to Z.

«We've had a pretty special period of enormous and intensive work in Tromsø, ever since November last year. In that sense, you could say that we've had 6.5 months of intensive team building, where we've been working, literally, shoulder to shoulder through thick and thin 24/7.

We've become a wonderfully close-knit and enjoyable group, where socialising has been baked into the work.» Torill Syversen, department manager, Tratec Solutions Lillestrøm.