About
Purdue University Airport is pioneering the future of aviation through a groundbreaking partnership with Ericsson and Saab. This collaboration leverages Ericsson’s private 5G network to transform airport operations and aviation innovation.
The Lab to Life Aviation Innovation Showcase integrates cutting-edge technologies into a living laboratory environment, enabling real-time testing and deployment of next-generation solutions. From improving safety and passenger experiences to addressing operational inefficiencies and advancing sustainability, this initiative sets the stage for the “Airport of the Future.”
By combining Ericsson’s connectivity expertise, Saab’s leadership in air traffic management, and Purdue’s academic resources, this partnership is creating smarter, safer, and more sustainable solutions for the aviation industry — building on Purdue’s long history of innovation in the skies.
The “Lab to Life” Approach
The Lab to Life platform functions like an “airport shark tank,” inviting innovative ideas to solve real problems. Once potential solutions are identified, the team collaborates with vendors and partners to bring these ideas to life in a working airport setting. This iterative approach ensures practical, impactful solutions.
Driving The Ecosystems Forward
Simply deploying a solution is not enough. Success requires a committed ecosystem of vendors and partners. Ericsson, alongside Purdue and Saab, is dedicated to driving innovation and enabling diverse and innovative aviation use cases.
Pathway to Adoption
The Lab to Life platform adopts a “crawl, walk, run” approach to integrating new technologies:
· Initial Testing: Solutions are showcased and tested at Purdue’s airport, which serves as a “control” environment in close coordination with FAA and TSA and enables industry stakeholders to see solutions ”in-action” and solution companies to collect valuable data and user insights.
· Scaling Up: Successful technologies can be scaled to larger airports, backed by data and proven results.
· Broader Adoption: Once validated, these innovations can penetrate the market more effectively, gaining acceptance from airports and airlines. This pathway facilitates smoother integration of new technologies into the aviation industry, overcoming traditional barriers to adoption.
Meet the Team
Troy Hege
Vice President of Innovation and Technology
Purdue Research Foundation
Adam Baxmeyer, C.M.
Airport Director
Purdue University Airport