At TOC 2017 in Amsterdam autonomous tractors/prime movers were the talk of the show. Terberg unveiled its AutoTug, an automated terminal tractor with no cab, and Gaussin launched its “Autonomous Prime Mover” in partnership with the company now known as Aidrivers. There was talk of major autonomous tractor retrofit projects, and a tender for over 240 new autonomous tractors in Dubai.

Eight years later as the industry heads to TOC 2024 in Rotterdam progress towards autonomous tractors has not been as rapid as some expected. There are autonomous tractors operating with Hutchison Ports at multiple terminals, as well as in China. However, as far as is known nobody has been able retrofit an existing fleet of tractors with a sensor package to operate the equipment ‘autonomously’ in an existing container terminal around manned equipment.

Just in time for TOC Europe next week, Aidrivers and Terberg Tractors Malaysia (TTM) have announced they have “successfully completed Autonomous terminal truck deployment for yard and wharf operations in mixed traffic at Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP)”.

Terberg Tractors Malaysia (TTM) and Aidrivers first started working together in 2019. In 2022 the companies signed an MoU to cooperate in delivering AI-enabled autonomous horizontal transport. This saw a Terberg YT223-T3 (diesel) terminal tractor with drive-by-wire controls fitted with Aidrivers’ autonomous ecosystem.

Tests were planned for PTP, a joint venture between MMC Group and APM Terminals, to demonstrate the integration of autonomous technology into port operations within existing infrastructure and mixed traffic operations. Phase I of the tests was completed in October 2023.

PTP engaged Hamburg Port Consultants (HPC) as a third-party consultant to validate and assess the autonomous terminal truck implementation into existing port operations. “The impressive outcomes of the solution prompted Phase 2, enabling more rigorous testing across yard and wharf operations use cases, as well as integrating with PTP’s existing infrastructure,” Aidrivers said.

The company has described the “more rigorous tests” as extending to “end-to-end autonomous port operations between the yard and wharf.” As can be seen in YouTube video below, the autonomous tractor and trailer receives a container under an STS crane (which is not serving a vessel), and then enters the traffic flow in the container yard to drive to an RTG block.

Aidrivers and TTM have declared the Phase 2 tests a success. “This was a joint effort with the application of TTM’s Drive-by-Wire ready diesel terminal tractor along with Aidrivers’ autonomous software solutions featuring AIOS (Vehicle Navigator), AIFO (Fleet Operator) and AISE (Autonomous Simulation) to facilitate the seamless integration of autonomous mobility for ground operation across yard and wharf operations,” the company said.

“During the project execution, regular engagements were held with stakeholders to align and commission Aidrivers autonomous software which prepared autonomous terminal truck solution for the scale-up implementation of autonomous operations for live operation domain deployment.”

TTM CEO Boo Wei Ching said, “In TTM, our mandate is to stay ahead of the available technology and develop a solution for our customers readily to be deployed in their operation. If we can’t do it alone, we join forces with the top tier partner available in the market and offer the most reliable solution to close the gap.

“While autonomous operation requires certain level of customisation, we encourage our customers who are interested to go autonomous to engage us soonest for a trial project.”

Aidrivers and TTM expressed gratitude and commended PTP for its invaluable role in the project’s success. “PTP committed resources to project implementation and management, and leveraged its extensive operational experience and technical expertise to ensure full integration of the project into its existing infrastructure,” the companies said.

Aidrivers CEO Dr. Rafiq Swash said the stage is now set for “transformative advancements” in terminal operations. “Aidrivers is proud to lead the charge in port automation with our successful Phase 2 demonstration at Port of Tanjung Pelepas. This milestone exemplifies our commitment to integrating cutting-edge AI solutions with TTM’s advanced terminal tractors. Our collaboration with key stakeholders and validation by HPC underscores the safety and reliability of our technology. We are poised for scaling live autonomous deployments, driving efficiency and sustainability in port operations. Aidrivers is dedicated to pioneering transformative advancements in the maritime industry,” Dr Swash said.

At TOC 2017 in Amsterdam autonomous tractors/prime movers were the talk of the show. Terberg unveiled its AutoTug, an automated terminal tractor with no cab, and Gaussin launched its “Autonomous Prime Mover” in partnership with the company now known as Aidrivers. There was talk of major autonomous tractor retrofit projects, and a tender for over 240 new autonomous tractors in Dubai.

Eight years later as the industry heads to TOC 2024 in Rotterdam progress towards autonomous tractors has not been as rapid as some expected. There are autonomous tractors operating with Hutchison Ports at multiple terminals, as well as in China. However, as far as is known nobody has been able retrofit an existing fleet of tractors with a sensor package to operate the equipment ‘autonomously’ in an existing container terminal around manned equipment.

Just in time for TOC Europe next week, Aidrivers and Terberg Tractors Malaysia (TTM) have announced they have “successfully completed Autonomous terminal truck deployment for yard and wharf operations in mixed traffic at Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP)”.

Terberg Tractors Malaysia (TTM) and Aidrivers first started working together in 2019. In 2022 the companies signed an MoU to cooperate in delivering AI-enabled autonomous horizontal transport. This saw a Terberg YT223-T3 (diesel) terminal tractor with drive-by-wire controls fitted with Aidrivers’ autonomous ecosystem.

Tests were planned for PTP, a joint venture between MMC Group and APM Terminals, to demonstrate the integration of autonomous technology into port operations within existing infrastructure and mixed traffic operations. Phase I of the tests was completed in October 2023.

PTP engaged Hamburg Port Consultants (HPC) as a third-party consultant to validate and assess the autonomous terminal truck implementation into existing port operations. “The impressive outcomes of the solution prompted Phase 2, enabling more rigorous testing across yard and wharf operations use cases, as well as integrating with PTP’s existing infrastructure,” Aidrivers said.

The company has described the “more rigorous tests” as extending to “end-to-end autonomous port operations between the yard and wharf.” As can be seen in YouTube video below, the autonomous tractor and trailer receives a container under an STS crane (which is not serving a vessel), and then enters the traffic flow in the container yard to drive to an RTG block.

Aidrivers and TTM have declared the Phase 2 tests a success. “This was a joint effort with the application of TTM’s Drive-by-Wire ready diesel terminal tractor along with Aidrivers’ autonomous software solutions featuring AIOS (Vehicle Navigator), AIFO (Fleet Operator) and AISE (Autonomous Simulation) to facilitate the seamless integration of autonomous mobility for ground operation across yard and wharf operations,” the company said.

“During the project execution, regular engagements were held with stakeholders to align and commission Aidrivers autonomous software which prepared autonomous terminal truck solution for the scale-up implementation of autonomous operations for live operation domain deployment.”

TTM CEO Boo Wei Ching said, “In TTM, our mandate is to stay ahead of the available technology and develop a solution for our customers readily to be deployed in their operation. If we can’t do it alone, we join forces with the top tier partner available in the market and offer the most reliable solution to close the gap.

“While autonomous operation requires certain level of customisation, we encourage our customers who are interested to go autonomous to engage us soonest for a trial project.”

Aidrivers and TTM expressed gratitude and commended PTP for its invaluable role in the project’s success. “PTP committed resources to project implementation and management, and leveraged its extensive operational experience and technical expertise to ensure full integration of the project into its existing infrastructure,” the companies said.

Aidrivers CEO Dr. Rafiq Swash said the stage is now set for “transformative advancements” in terminal operations. “Aidrivers is proud to lead the charge in port automation with our successful Phase 2 demonstration at Port of Tanjung Pelepas. This milestone exemplifies our commitment to integrating cutting-edge AI solutions with TTM’s advanced terminal tractors. Our collaboration with key stakeholders and validation by HPC underscores the safety and reliability of our technology. We are poised for scaling live autonomous deployments, driving efficiency and sustainability in port operations. Aidrivers is dedicated to pioneering transformative advancements in the maritime industry,” Dr Swash said.