Autonomous Transport for Industrial Logistics

VDL is leading in the automation of horizontal transport in the ports. Now VDL also has a solution for automation of industrial logistics at private areas. The generic autonomous platform is available with a wide range of customer specific load carriers and an automatic battery charging system. Multiple platforms are managed by a fleet manager which interfaces to the end user yard management system. This solution is backed with full service and remote diagnostics via an optional app.

Today’s Supply chain departments demand fully integrated logistic solutions. The generic autonomous platform is available with a wide range of customer specific load carriers and an automatic battery charging system. At Aviko, up to 60 Euro-pallets per hour with frozen products are transported and automatically loaded and unloaded by a climatized superstructure, replacing traditional manually operated truck-trailer combinations. The MTT platform is matched with a customer specific superstructure to transport for example, pallets, IBC’s, containers or paper rolls. Multiple platforms are managed by a fleet manager which interfaces to the end user yard management system. This logistics solution is backed with full digital service and remote diagnostics via an dedicated app.

One of the largest innovations that is incorporated into the new MTT platform, is the integration of VDL’s own next generation Smart safety and navigation system. A Multi-modal sensor fusion approach is used to position the MTT platform along its intended path. A model-based approach is used to determine the region of interest: motion sensors are used to evaluate a kinematic vehicle model that predicts what the path of the MTT platform will be.

The complete charging infrastructure is mounted on a rapid deployable skid. The 200A charger is matched with the platform specification. The charger could also be used to charge other vehicles (e.g. cars, trucks), where the autonomous platform always has priority. As an option we offer automatic charging via a pantograph.

The fleetmanager is used to dispatch jobs to the autonomous platforms. There are threeoptions available:• Manual fleetmanager with pushbuttons• Basic digital interface to end user yard / warehouse management system• Advanced fleetmanager• API to end user yard / warehouse management system