PAXWAY AI Docking System (optional)
The world's first commercially deployed AI-camera docking system that autonomously guides a boarding bridge to within 10 cm of any aircraft door with a single button press.
The PAXWAY AI Docking System is an optional upgrade available across the full PAXWAY range that automates the final docking sequence entirely — from bridge departure to contact with the aircraft door seal — using AI-powered image recognition rather than operator skill or pre-programmed aircraft profiles.
Two cameras work in tandem: an AI camera mounted outside the cab identifies the door position on the fuselage in real time; a second camera inside the cab front refines the target as the bridge approaches. The system processes variables including weather conditions, ambient light, fuselage paint schemes, and door geometry continuously, and self-improves accuracy in proportion to operating frequency. Because door detection is image-based rather than model-registry-based, the system is aircraft-selection-free — it does not require operators to pre-select the aircraft type, and does not need updating when a new aircraft variant enters service at the airport.
The result is single-button docking to within 10 cm of the door — compared to 50 cm to 1 m for the standard Preset Drive function. ShinMaywa first commercialised automated docking in 2017 (Tokushima Awa Odori Airport, Japan), the full AI system in 2020, and achieved the world's first autonomous fully-remote commercial operation on live aircraft at Changi Airport Terminal 1 in August 2023 in collaboration with Changi Airport Group. A revenue-sharing development agreement with Changi Airport Group was signed in May 2025, with prototype PBBs for further operational testing under development. For airports facing chronic staff shortages, high operator-error rates, or on-time performance pressures, this system materially reduces docking time variability and eliminates the per-gate operator requirement for the docking sequence.
Technical specifications.
| Final docking accuracy | 10 cm from aircraft door |
| Standard Preset Drive accuracy (comparison) | 50 cm – 1 m from aircraft door |
| Operation | Single button press — fully automated from departure to docked position |
| Aircraft selection | Aircraft-selection-free — no model pre-selection required |
| Camera system | Dual: AI camera outside cab (fuselage/door detection) + camera inside cab front (approach refinement) |
| AI learning | System accuracy improves with operational frequency; adapts to weather, light, and paint variations |
| Remote operation | Compatible — operator can manage from base of rotunda column, not inside cab |
| Commercial deployment | Live on commercial aircraft at Changi Airport Terminal 1 since August 2023 |
Use cases.
- ›High-throughput international gates where docking time variability directly affects on-time departure performance
- ›Airports addressing ground-handler labour shortages by reducing the per-bridge skill requirement
- ›New A380 and wide-body gate fits where complex multi-door docking sequences benefit most from automation
- ›Airport smart-operations programmes aiming to centralise PBB management via remote console
- ›Terminals with high aircraft-type fleet diversity where model-registry management is a maintenance burden
- ›Airlines and ground handlers targeting reduction in apron safety incidents attributable to bridge-docking human error