The projects offer the airport the opportunity to use innovations to bring about improvements for its customers and for the surrounding area. TU/e-President Robert-Jan Smits: "The projects dovetail perfectly with some of the strengths of the TU/e: challenge-based learning, in which students learn by working on 'real-world problems'. And of course with our collaboration with industry. This agreement underlines the role of the university in the Brainport region."

In principle, the projects start as a challenge for student teams. The university and the airport want to start at least one project each year within each theme. In case of a promising result, a graduation project is started to make a proof of concept. If successful, a company from the region will be sought to develop the prototype, in collaboration with a PDEng student from the TU/e. The university and the airport want to connect as much as possible with other parties in Brainport. In order to try out solutions, there will be a 'Living Lab' at the airport, which will be completed at the end of 2020.

Artificial intelligence

Over the past year, the two parties have already worked together, including a student project to improve the flow (article in Dutch) of passengers through security, with good results. Other points in the airport's logistics will now also be examined by students, who will use artificial intelligence, among other things, to look for improvements.

The sometimes persistent fog is another challenge for which a solution will be sought. In terms of sustainability, the partners have set their sights on reducing waste, increasing recycling and reducing energy consumption. In terms of mobility, they want to improve accessibility and traffic pressure around the airport. This includes looking at how existing and new sustainable transport solutions can be combined.

In order to help develop scientific knowledge, the airport offers students and researchers an inspiring place to come and do research on the various themes through the Living Lab. Airport CEO Roel Hellemons: "We see the airport as an ideal test site for new solutions in the areas of sustainability, mobility and quality. We expect that the TU/e students will come up with completely new, refreshing and relevant proposals".