KUALA LUMPUR: Terberg Tractors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (TTM), a manufacturer of container terminal tractors, plans to create an autonomous tractor for testing in Malaysia.
According to its chief executive officer Boo Wei Ching, the pilot project for an autonomous container terminal tractor would begin this month in a real port setting in Johor.
TTM and UK-based Aidrivers Ltd, a leader in artificial intelligence (AI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate a Terberg YT223-T3 Drive-by-Wire Terminal Tractor with Aidrivers' Autonomous software, which includes a fully autonomous navigator, V2X enabled operator and autonomous simulator.
The TTM multisensory system includes 3D lidars, radars, and vision camera sensors, allowing the diesel-powered truck to maneuver in a variety of traffic, environmental, and weather circumstances.
The tractor may operate autonomously alongside other vehicles and machinery in a port with mixed traffic.
It is completely integrable with Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) that dispatch jobs to tractors like usual vehicles and equipment in a port's container terminal setup, requiring no process, environment, or infrastructure adjustments.
Boo said TTM was resolutely seeking, establishing, and implementing the newest technology in order to help port and terminal operators' efforts to run future-proof, effective, sustainable, and resilient terminal operations.
"This arrangement recognises TTM and Aidrivers' shared vision and clear synergies. They draw on TTM's expertise in manufacturing industry-leading heavy equipment and machinery, and Aidrivers' AI-enabled autonomous mobility solutions and platforms," Boo said.
According to Boo, Phase 1 of the project would run until the end of the year.
"Based on the extensive testing and research invested into this programme, we are confident that the first field test will prove and confirm the feasibility of the autonomous solutions, which will ultimately yield results with an increase in sustainable operational efficiency and turnover rates.
"Furthermore, we expect it to demonstrate how highly cost-effective automation can be, directly influencing practical operations and a positive bottom-line effect," he said.
TTM is a 50:50 joint venture (JV) between Sime Darby Industrial Sdn Bhd and the 153-year-old Dutch company group Royal Terberg Group BV, which specialises in the development and production of unique vehicles.
The JV company, which has significant product support capabilities and a distribution network throughout the Asia Pacific, is in charge of producing and delivering Terberg terminal tractors.
It manufactures the YT180 and YT220 terminal tractors, and to date, more than 5,500 of these types have been supplied to different port operators in more than 30 different nations.
Dr. Rafiq Swash, founder and CEO of Aidrivers said an autonomous truck capable of operating in a mixed-traffic environment would significantly boost the operational resilience needed to satisfy the demands of the global supply chain.