Autonomous snowploughs have been used to clear a runway for the first time — here's how they work

• Swedish Company Semcom is the first company to clear snow from a runway using autonomous snowploughs.

• The snowploughs are regular machines fitted with 4G communications and GPS.

• The aim is to increase efficiency and reduce the delays at airports. 

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An airport in Norway has been cleared of snow by completely autonomous snowploughs, and it could help reduce airport delays.

The technology uses 4G communications and GPS to allow retrofitted machines to navigate around runways.

The 5.5 metre wide vehicles are capable of clearing 357,500 square metres per hour, they work in formation with several other snowploughs at once, further increasing their efficiency. 

Produced by David Ibekwe.

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