Automated Gate Startups in North America Showcase Airport Efficiency
Passengers at Edmonton International Airport in Western Canada are increasingly boarding flights through an automated gate that operates without a human at the control panel. The system, recently launched from a panel produced in Asturias, Spain, was announced by Juan Carlos Menéndez, the company president. He spoke during the I Innovation Week, hosted by LA NUEVA ESPAÑA of the Prensa Ibérica group and supported by Banco Sabadell, Ontier, Siero City Council, and the Government of the Principality of Asturias. Sergio Alcántara, who leads the company’s R&D and Innovation center near the Workers’ University in Gijón, joined the presentation.
Time Savings in Aircraft Docking and Departure
TK Elevator, a German-origin company, operates in more than 100 countries and runs the only innovation center in Asturias. Here, around thirty experts explore the latest technologies in elevators, escalators, moving walkways, and boarding bridges. Innovations from these teams are applied in TK Elevator factories, including sites in Mieres, and have expanded TK Elevator products to homes, buildings, and airports worldwide. The company reports annual sales in the vicinity of 8 billion euros, with roughly 200 million in annual revenue attributed to its core aviation and mobility solutions.
The automated gate now in operation in Canada, though still under audit, can fully dock and dispatch aircraft. Speed is a critical factor, since a three to four minute delay can disrupt passenger plans, and longer ground times reduce airline profitability. The aim is to accelerate the docking and boarding process while maintaining safety and reliability, according to Menéndez during his briefing.
Alcántara emphasized that the innovation represented by the gate exemplifies automated workflows that are likely to become common in airports. He noted that after rising costs, efficiency has become a top concern for airport operators. The trend points toward more passengers and fewer staff on site, moving toward a future where automation handles routine tasks with human oversight reserved for exception handling.
Skills Gap and Industry Demand for Computer Science Talent
The technology powering the company’s products, from elevators to stairlifts, captures vast amounts of data. This data is processed to provide actionable insights for service technicians, enabling proactive maintenance and product improvements. The technical department accounts for nearly half of the company’s global workforce, with about 50,000 employees worldwide and a strong emphasis on data-driven service optimization.
While there is no crystal ball to forecast the future, executives anticipate that artificial intelligence will drive the next major shift across many sectors. The TK Elevator innovation center maintains close ties with the University of Oviedo, creating opportunities for students. These collaborations are seen as a strategic advantage for both the company and the academic institution. Despite efforts, attracting all the required computer engineers remains a challenge. The university does not currently have the capacity to supply the entire market demand, and the company is prepared to offer competitive compensation to secure top talent. The leadership also acknowledged that geographic appeal plays a role in attracting graduates, noting that Asturias faces challenges in retaining young professionals.