SHERIDAN, WYOMING – June 17, 2025 – A major milestone in the world of sustainable aviation has been reached, as David Keene, founder of Aurrigo International, has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025 for his pioneering contributions to airport decarbonization and intelligent mobility technologies.
Keene’s recognition celebrates a career that spans more than 40 years in the automotive sector, now focused on transforming global airport operations through innovation and autonomous vehicle solutions.
Leading the Charge with Autonomous Airport Vehicles
Based in Warwickshire, Aurrigo has made global headlines with its Auto-DollyTug – an autonomous electric vehicle designed to transport luggage and cargo efficiently across airport grounds. Already in operation at six international airports, the Auto-DollyTug is developed and built at the company’s Advanced Engineering Centre in Coventry.
According to Aurrigo, these intelligent electric tugs are engineered to “cut emissions, increase operational performance and, most importantly, improve passenger experience.”
Reflecting on the honor, Professor David Keene MBE shared his heartfelt reaction:
“When you’ve been in business for four decades, nothing tends to surprise you…until this! Aurrigo has come a long way since I started the business in my spare room in 1993. While automotive components (mainly wiring looms and electronics) are still a major part of the business, it is our ‘first to market’ work in autonomous aviation vehicles that is catching the media headlines.”
A Shared Success and Team Recognition
Keene emphasized the collective achievement behind the award, saying:
“It is such a massive honor to be recognized by HRH King Charles, but the MBE is really for all the team that have played such a key role in our growth and success to date. They’ve believed in the dream, and it is their skills, expertise and technical knowledge that has transported us to the front of the autonomous conversation.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers
Beyond product innovation, Keene is committed to nurturing future engineering talent. He coined the term intelligent ground support equipment (iGSE) and remains a strong advocate for UK manufacturing. Through partnerships with Aston, Warwick, and Coventry universities, Aurrigo provides students and researchers with real-world R&D experience using advanced autonomous vehicle systems.
His outreach doesn’t stop there. Keene has dedicated over 100 hours of voluntary service to organizations such as the UK Automotive Council and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. He also lectures students internationally at Galgotias University in India, further spreading his expertise in automated technologies.
Driving Toward a Smarter, Greener Future
As Aurrigo expands its portfolio with next-gen solutions like Auto-Sim (simulation software for airport operations) and Auto-Cargo (its largest vehicle to date), the demand for talent and innovation only grows.
Keene concluded with a call to action:
“We are building something really exciting in the UK that positions us as a real driving force in the world of autonomous vehicles for aviation. As we grow through Auto-DollyTug, Auto-Sim and Auto-Cargo, we are going to need more people with the right skills and talent to take us to the next level. That’s why it is important that we are vocal about the careers available in manufacturing and technology, showcasing the global opportunities they deliver.”
Aurrigo’s journey from a spare room startup to a global innovator is not only reshaping airports — it’s also inspiring a new era of clean, smart, and people-focused transportation.
Learn more at https://aurrigo.com.