GERMANY: The use of an autonomous mobile robot to automate the repositioning of folding pins on container wagons has been successfully tested by Hamburger Hafen & Logistik and the Fraunhofer Centre for Maritime Logistics & Services.
The pins installed at various positions on wagons are currently raised or moved to suit the size of the container in a time-consuming manual procedure.
The Pin Handling mR project tested the use of an autonomous system with a robot arm under real-world conditions at HHLA Container Terminal Tollerort. HHLA’s rail subsidiary Metrans provided the wagons.
The robot was able to independently navigate its way along a container train, and position the pins precisely and efficiently.
‘This research project has shown that the automation of pin handling in rail processing is technically feasible’, said HHLA Project Manager Pablo Rossio. ‘The insights gained from this research now form the basis for further evaluation of its operational use. Thanks to the group-wide network established for the project — spanning our container terminals, HHLA Sky, and our rail subsidiary Metrans – we have combined our expertise to make terminal processes safer and more efficient. In the next phase, we aim to further develop this technology to enable its application in productive operations.’
The project was supported by the Federal Ministry for Digital & Transport’s IHATEC programme to encourage the use of autonomous systems at ports.
