New Order for 34 Electric ATs with Advanced LiDAR Technology Doubles Fleet, Accelerating Port’s Net-Zero Goal
Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe has received the first two units from a follow-up order for 34 Autonomous Trucks (ATs) from Shanghai Westwell Technology Co. Ltd (‘Westwell’). These new machines will join the 34 ATs already in operation at the port’s Trinity Terminal, effectively doubling the fleet and marking a significant step in the port’s digitalization and sustainability efforts.
Clemence Cheng, Executive Director of Hutchison Ports and Port of Felixstowe CEO, noted that the new machines feature a step forward in LiDAR technology and represent the next phase of using autonomous technology to support the port’s experienced workforce. The technological improvements incorporated in the new trucks will be retrofitted to the existing fleet to further enhance operational performance and efficiency.
Pioneering Electric and Autonomous Operations
The ATs at the Port of Felixstowe were the first of their kind in Europe to be operated in a mixed-traffic environment. The trucks are fully electric and emissions-free, supported by the port’s use of electricity certified as being from renewable sources since April 2023. This expansion is critical to helping the port achieve its target of net-zero for Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2035.
The ATs rely on advanced sensor fusion architecture, which includes:
- A 360-degree industrial-grade binocular camera.
- 128-line LiDAR for precision navigation.
To ensure safety in mixed-traffic operations, each truck features interactive light signals and audiovisual alerts to clearly communicate driving intentions to human drivers, significantly reducing collision risks.
Maximizing Fleet Availability with Automated Battery Swap
To ensure maximum fleet availability and minimal disruption, the batteries on the ATs are changed at a recently commissioned automated battery swap station. This facility allows the autonomous trucks to exchange depleted power units for fully charged ones in just five to six minutes.
Kenny Tan, Founder and Chairman of Westwell, highlighted the partnership as leveraging Westwell’s proprietary Ainergy technology to drive intelligent transformation across the global logistics ecosystem. He affirmed that Hutchison Ports is a valued global partner, and Westwell looks forward to continuing the close collaboration in sustainable port development.
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