Autonomy, powered by lidar technology, can improve efficiency and safety, while also reducing costs and risk, in seaport, marine and intermodal terminal operations. A webinar conducted by Dieter Gabriel, Marketing Manager EMEA at Velodyne Lidar, and Matthias Krause, General Manager at DGWorld, discussed autonomy in seaports and how deploying 3D lidar in equipment and vehicles can help synchronize and optimize logistics movements within a port.
DGWorld, an Automated with Velodyne partner, is a leading AI and digitalization company, offering robotics and industrial automation. The company develops products and solutions using advanced technology of Industry 4.0 and IoT, deploying AI-based solution robots, self-driving automobiles and AI-powered server configurations.
DGWorld is using Velodyne Puck™ sensors to equip Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the largest seaport in the Middle East, with a fleet of Autonomous Internal Terminal Vehicles (AITVs). These vehicles utilize advanced artificial intelligence, automation and self-driving systems to help bring greater precision to port and terminal operations.
Here are three takeaways from the webinar:
DGWorld combines its proven SLAM algorithm with Velodyne’s 3D lidar sensors to simultaneously localize and map a container terminal. By applying these technologies, Matthias said, their solutions are able to interpret changing port environments. This allows AITVs to measure their actual positions and identify surroundings independently and continuously.
Matthias noted that “a lidar is not a lidar” because not all lidar sensors have comparable capabilities. He commented on how the Velodyne sensor portfolio offers a broad range of features, allowing DGWorld to select the right sensor for different needs. Matthias added that Velodyne’s sensors can deliver high accuracy of raw data, are reliable even in harsh environments and not generally influenced by bright sunlight and rain.
Matthias discussed how DGWorld solutions enable AITVs to operate 24/7 in mixed traffic environments of human-driven and autonomous vehicles within ports. The AITVs address port requirements for reliability and precision so they can move into the right position to optimize operations and reduce cycle times, such as being straight in the lane under a crane during loading and unloading freight. The predictability of AITVs also helps to improve safety and reduce accidents.
These are just a few of the many highlights from the session. Watch the full webinar below!
Velodyne Lidar (Nasdaq: VLDR, VLDRW) ushered in a new era of autonomous technology with the invention of real-time surround view lidar sensors. Velodyne, a global leader in lidar, is known for its broad portfolio of breakthrough lidar technologies. Velodyne’s revolutionary sensor and software solutions provide flexibility, quality and performance to meet the needs of a wide range of industries, including robotics, industrial, intelligent infrastructure, autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Through continuous innovation, Velodyne strives to transform lives and communities by advancing safer mobility for all.
