Autonomous driving: HHLA TK Estonia and FERNRIDE strengthen collaboration
| The joint project between HHLA TK Estonia terminal and FERNRIDE has achieved remarkable progress in automated container handling. After a successful proof of concept, the FERNRIDE system has been seamlessly integrated into HHLA TK Estonia’s operations. By equipping a yard truck with sensors and cameras, initial container transportation between the quayside and the yard has been carried out via remote control. |
| The joint project began in January at the HHLA TK Estonia terminal near Tallinn. The goal of the first project phase was to determine the technology’s operational reliability in the area of automated container handling and to validate its appropriateness for future business opportunities. After the project team was able to provide a proof of concept during the first phase, the FERNRIDE system was successfully integrated into HHLA TK Estonia’s work processes. Key to this was in particular the participation of operating employees at the terminal, who addressed the specifics of terminal processes. The yard truck that FERNRIDE had equipped with sensors and cameras was already able to transport initial containers between the quayside and the yard via remote control. FERNRIDE’s unique human-assisted approach to autonomy enables remote control of the vehicle by a teleoperator. With the start of the second phase, autonomous driving will be integrated into operational processes. For this purpose, an additional automated yard truck will be deployed at the terminal for container transport. The goal is to achieve a degree of autonomy of at least 80 to 90 percent. Philip Sweens, Managing Director of HHLA International: “Thanks to the joint project with FERNRIDE, we have been able to test the system directly in the operational business of HHLA TK Estonia. The implementation has proven itself in daily terminal operations, so that proof of concept could be achieved at an early stage. We will now continue our excellent collaboration with FERNRIDE and will work together to see how autonomous driving might work in the future. Our goal is to create work processes at our international terminals that are future-oriented and sustainable.” Martin Isik, CCO FERNRIDE: “We are looking forward to the next phase of productive and successful collaboration with HHLA. Our mutual trust and the desire to positively transform the sector make us perfect strategic partners in the implementation of our platform for autonomous electric trucking in port areas. Our partners are impressed by the platform’s advantages, including the increased efficiency and safety for our employees, the reliability of our operations and the easy scalability of the solution. HHLA shares our values and our ambitions of scaling this technology internationally, and the TK Estonia terminal offers ideal conditions to lay the foundation for this.” |
Original article HERE
Image: hhla.de