Utah Valley University team takes first place in airport design competition [Video]

OREM, Utah — A team of ten mechanical engineering and three computer science students from Utah Valley University are taking home a top prize at the Airport Cooperative Research Program University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs. Their “Autonomous Electric Aircraft Tug” submission secured first place in the Airport Environmental Interactions design challenge.

Their design is a way to change how aircraft are moved from jetways to takeoff and back and claim to improve safety, save fuel, and reduce emissions in the process.

According to the University, traditionally aircraft are guided into position by workers using push-back tractors and jet engines. The team says this is a costly and inefficient process that burns fuels and emits heated emissions into the air. The team of 13 students, led by UVU mechanical engineering Professors Matt Jensen and Brett Stone, have developed a working prototype of the autonomous, electric aircraft tug that can …