When the first containership comes alongside Berth 7, the straddle carriers will be unmanned, relying on radar, inertia navigation and GPS technology to enable them to roam freely around the terminal as they follow instructions from the terminal management system.

In this project, Kalmar's knowledge and experience has been applied to developing machine control systems that move, brake and steer the straddle carriers to ensure that the machines pick and place the containers in correct positions.

Included in this has been work on refining the capabilities of sensors for container detection and safety system modules.

Patrick has been concentrating on navigation positioning (using radar, lasers and GPS), the tasking system and the traffic management system.

Safety has been one of the main concerns all along. The automated terminal is a total exclusion zone, humans must be kept out of this automated world.

The truck grid is the only place where humans take over control of the stradle carrier, using joystick remote control. The road truck backs onto the grid and the driver leaves the truck and closes the gate behind him. Only then can the straddle carrier enter through another gate to pick up the container.

The Kalmar straddle carriers are equipped with anti-collision lasers and anti-collision bumpers.

Anything that comes within a specified distance in front of the machine will stop it. Similarly, if the straddle hits anything, it will also stop immediately.

Earlier this year, Kalmar Industries became a shareholder in Patrick Technology and Systems (PTS), a new company being established to provide a platform for further development and marketing of automotive automation systems, building on what will be learned as the first straddle carriers go into operation in a commercial environment.

MJ Information No: 17180