Driverless Yard Transport Routing With Segmented Maneuvering Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driverless transport vehicles and operating procedures for logistics yards are complex and unsuitable for automated operation, lacking in reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
An automated transport system with predefined maneuvering areas and tracks for driverless vehicles, allowing short-range maneuvers and long-distance journeys, using localization and dynamic trajectory planning to ensure safe and efficient transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If driverless transport vehicles are used in outdoor and mixed-use environments, then automated operation is achieved, but reliability and safety are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the logistics yard into multiple maneuvering areas with defined entry and exit positions, and segments transport tasks into short-range maneuvers within maneuvering areas and long-distance journeys along tracks between maneuvering areas. This segmentation allows the complex automated driving task to be broken down into manageable, reliable sub-tasks that can be executed independently and verified for safety.
2Extent of automation
If complex automated driving procedures are implemented, then transport tasks can be automated, but the system becomes difficult to design and implement
Solution Approach 1:
The automated driving procedure is segmented into standardized components: navigation to entry positions of maneuvering areas, execution of simple pick-and-deliver tasks within maneuvering areas, and navigation from exit positions to destination maneuvering areas. This segmentation creates a modular, easier-to-design and implement system compared to fully complex automated procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces tracks as intermediary elements that connect maneuvering areas. These tracks serve as predefined, simple navigation paths that mediate between complex maneuvering areas, providing a standardized and simplified route-following mechanism that reduces overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If free navigation is allowed throughout the logistics yard, then flexibility is improved, but traffic regulation compliance and predictability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different navigation qualities to different spatial zones: within maneuvering areas, vehicles enjoy free navigation and high flexibility for performing tasks; along tracks connecting maneuvering areas, vehicles follow predefined, predictable paths that ensure traffic regulation compliance. This local differentiation of navigation modes resolves the contradiction between flexibility and predictability.
Data Source
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AI summary
An automated transport system for transport containers, in particular containers and/or swap bodies and/or semi-trailers, preferably for use in a logistics yard, comprising a surface (2) accessible by a transport vehicle (1) and including several predefined positions (3) accessible by the transport vehicle (1), in particular parking spaces and/or loading ramps and/or docks, wherein each of the accessible positions (3) lies within a predefined maneuvering area (4), wherein each maneuvering area (4) has at least one entry position (5) and at least one exit position (6), and wherein at least one lane (7, 8) for the transport vehicle (1) is predefined, which connects the maneuvering areas (4) together, in particular their entry positions (5) and exit positions (6). Furthermore, methods for the automated driving of a driverless transport vehicle (1) in such an automated transport system and a driverless transport vehicle (1) are described.