Volvo Vera went to work in the port robotrack

14 June 2019

DFDS and Volvo Trucks launched the first cargo drone

Freight connected and Autonomous electric vehicle (robotrac) Volvo Vera has become part of integrated solutions for the transportation of goods from a logistics centre DFDS to a port terminal in Gothenburg, Sweden. Development of robotrek was the result of cooperation between Volvo Trucks and the ferry and logistics company DFDS.

The aim of the cooperation was practical use of electrotractor Vera in a networked system that provides a continuous flow of goods from a logistics center in the port DFDS terminal and from there around the world. In 2018, Volvo Trucks unveiled its first electric network and a stand-alone solution for Shuttle transport, logistics centers, factories and ports. Electroremote Vera intended for the carriage of short distance universal containers or large quantities of goods with high regularity.

Vice President at Autonomous solutions, Volvo Trucks Mikael Karlsson said: "we Now have the opportunity to test Vera in an ideal environment and further develop its potential for such applications."
The aim of the project is to implement a network and managed with the port's control tower system to control multiple drones Vera. This is necessary to ensure the smooth and continuous flow of cargo containers, in order to quickly respond to changes in demand. It also increases the efficiency, flexibility and sustainability of the logistics process. Cooperation with the logistic company DFDS was the first step towards the practical use of drones for major public roads in the industrial area.

DFDS CEO Torben Carlsen said: "We want to be at the forefront of networked Autonomous vehicles. This cooperation will help us to develop efficient, flexible, sustainable and long-term solution for Autonomous vehicles – for the benefit of our customers, the environment and our business."
The Vera project is designed to bring technology, operations management and infrastructure to achieve full operational readiness. In addition, the project is taking the necessary precautions to meet the social security requirements of the future Autonomous transport. Experience Volvo Trucks potentially allows the use of Vera in similar applications as a complement to modern transport solutions.

Mikael Karlsson adds: "Autonomous electric transport with low noise and exhaust gas will play an important role in the future of logistics, benefiting both the economy and society. We consider this cooperation as an important starting point and would like to contribute to progress in this area. While Vera is the speed limit (40 km/h – ed.) but this does not apply to us. Testing has already begun, and we want to implement a solution in the coming years."

background:
The objective of the project Vera – transportation of the necessary volume of containers DFDS logistics centre in Gothenburg to the port terminal;
– Autonomous system is controlled by the transport operator at the control tower;
the solution is suitable for Shuttle transport to the permanent route with a maximum speed of 40 km/h;
– adjustments to infrastructure are part of the implementation of the whole transport system, including automatic gates at the terminals;
– Volvo Trucks and DFDS are still the main partners of the project, but before starting the continuous operation Vera, it will involve other players;
– DFDS provides ferry and freight services in Europe and Turkey, providing annual sales of about 17 billion Danish crowns. On ships and in the company's branches in 20 countries and employs 8,000 employees. Corporate headquarters is located DFDS in Copenhagen. The shares included in the Danish DFDS NASDAQ.
– Initiative supported by the Swedish Agency for research and development (Vinnova), the Swedish transport administration and the Swedish energy Agency in the framework of the strategic research and development of FFI in the automotive sector..