In Germany, tested an unmanned truck in the container terminal as part of practical flights

2021: Test of autopilot truck prototypes

Since the end of 2018, MAN Truck & Bus and Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) have been implementing the Hamburg TruckPilot research and test project aimed at developing automated solutions. After the preparation and testing phase, the most significant event was the practical test trips that took place at the end of May 2021. This was announced on August 3, 2021 by MAN Truck & Bus. During these tests, prototype trucks equipped with electronic automation systems participated in normal logistics operations.

An important component of the success was the participation in the tests of the transport company Jakob Weets e. K. from Emden. The logistics partner not only allocated drivers, but also provided a full cycle of work with containers, integrating prototype trucks into his usual transport process.

We are pleased to be part of the research project, to support the development of future automation solutions, "says Jakob Weets, Managing Director.

He meant the potential that autopilot functions can offer to facilitate the work of truck drivers in the future.

During practical flights, at the first stage, the Weets driver transported a 40-foot container owned by VW Group Logistics from the Weets container terminal to Zoltau (Soltau) to the CTA container terminal in Altenverder, in the port of Hamburg. The length of the flight was about 70 km, it took place in normal manual driving mode.

After entering the territory of the STA, the driver moved to the passenger seat, and the test driver responsible for safety took his place. Such a driver must be on board by law and be ready to intervene in the event of an unfavorable situation - this is a requirement for testing prototypes. Compliance with these conditions guarantees absolute safety for all during all operations performed on the territory of the terminal.

Then the truck in autonomous mode proceeded through the territory of the terminal to the desired location in the storage place, after which, also in the autopilot mode, to the given parking place. After performing the operations provided with the container, the return route to the exit gate also passed in autopilot mode. At the exit from the terminal, the driver of Spedition Jakob Weets e again took full control of the car. K.

Tests confirmed what was required. We can integrate autopilot trucks into the processes that we conduct at the terminals. This is an important step, autopilot is getting closer. Accordingly, we at HHLA want and need to start self-training in advance for autopilot trucks to take over shipping containers at our terminals.

The Hamburg TruckPilot project is an important technological milestone on the way to automating transportation between logistics hubs, "said Sebastian Föhl.

Since the flight route between the Weets container terminal in Zoltau and the port territory ran along the A7 highway, the project participants were able to collect a significant amount of data during test trips for upcoming projects, which in the future can be carried out not only in closed territories. This opportunity is opened by the recent - at the end of May - adoption by the Bundestag and the Bundesrat of the law on autonomous driving. This law in principle allows the use of autonomous transport systems in Germany in certain areas of activity: for example, if there is appropriate technical control, on routes between logistics centers.