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Prince William Awards MBE to Autonomous Aviation Expert

Prince William Awards MBE to Autonomous Aviation Expert
Recognition for Innovation in Sustainable Aviation
David Keene, a prominent figure in the United Kingdom’s autonomous technology sector and founder of Aurrigo International plc, has been honoured with an MBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle. The award recognises Keene’s extensive contributions to the decarbonisation of airports and his pioneering work in intelligent mobility. With a career spanning four decades in the automotive industry, Keene has been instrumental in advancing sustainable aviation technologies.
Based in Kenilworth, Keene has spearheaded significant innovation through Aurrigo’s development of the Auto-DollyTug® and Auto-Cargo®—autonomous electric vehicles currently deployed at seven airports worldwide to transport luggage and cargo. These vehicles, designed and manufactured at Aurrigo’s Advanced Engineering Centre in Coventry, aim to reduce emissions, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the overall passenger experience.
Challenges and Future Prospects
During the award ceremony, Prince William acknowledged the considerable responsibility Keene carries in making aviation greener, a challenge Keene embraces with enthusiasm. Reflecting on the occasion, Keene described the experience as extraordinary, emphasising the collective effort of his team. He noted that the MBE symbolises the dedication of those involved in designing, developing, and implementing the company’s technology globally.
Aurrigo International is currently at a critical juncture, having recently secured its largest contract to date through a partnership with Swissport to deploy its autonomous technology at Zurich Airport, with plans for further expansion. The company also raised £14.1 million to accelerate growth, scale production, and explore relocation to a larger engineering and manufacturing facility in Coventry.
As Aurrigo scales operations to meet increasing demand, it faces challenges in maintaining quality and innovation. Expanding production capacity and recruiting additional technical and manufacturing personnel are essential steps, though regulatory and logistical obstacles may complicate the company’s growth trajectory.
Industry Impact and Competitive Landscape
The announcement of Keene’s MBE and Aurrigo’s recent successes has been met with widespread acclaim, bolstering the company’s reputation and potentially attracting further investment. However, the recognition also intensifies competition within the autonomous aviation sector, where rivals such as RTX Technologies and GA-ASI are advancing their own developments in mission autonomy and aircraft supply technologies.
Despite these pressures, Keene remains optimistic about the future. He views the MBE as a significant milestone that will help open new opportunities for Aurrigo’s technology on a global scale. Keene emphasised the UK’s continued strength in engineering and manufacturing innovation and expressed hope that Aurrigo’s efforts will contribute to a greener aviation industry while enhancing passenger experience—a legacy he aspires to leave.

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