Felixstowe expands autonomous truck fleet

The order was placed in September and will double the port’s existing fleet.

Clemence Cheng, executive director of Hutchison Ports and chief executive of the Port of Felixstowe, said the delivery represents a ‘step forward in LiDAR technology’ and a continuation of the port’s efforts to integrate autonomous systems alongside its human workforce.

“The improvements incorporated in the new machines will now be retrofitted to our existing fleet,” he said, adding that upgrades are expected to enhance operational efficiency and performance.

Kenny Tan, founder and chair of Westwell, highlighted the milestone in the context of the company’s 10th anniversary. “Westwell is proud to empower the 150-year legacy of the Port of Felixstowe with our proprietary Ainergy technology,” he said.

Felixstowe’s ATs were Europe’s first autonomous trucks to operate in a mixed-traffic environment. Each vehicle uses advanced sensor fusion, including 128-line LiDAR and a 360-degree industrial-grade binocular camera, along with audiovisual alerts.

Fully electric and emissions-free, the new trucks align with the port’s renewable electricity usage since April 2023 and its target of achieving net-zero Scopes 1&2 emissions by 2035.

The ATs’ batteries are swapped at an automated station, allowing a full exchange in five to six minutes, ensuring maximum availability and minimal disruption to terminal operations.