Driving towards zero emissions

Gaussin has developed a hydrogen-powered 100% autonomous tractor equipped with a robotic arm to improve process efficiency, productivity and safety in logistics centres.

“To meet the demand of logistics players for automated and environmentally friendly solutions, GAUSSIN has developed a turnkey solution for the movement of trailers, semi-trailers and swap bodies between the equipment parking areas and the docks,” said the company.

Smart robotic arm

The tractor’s robotic arm enables the connection and disconnection of air and electrical connectors linking the trailer and tractor. The robotic arm uses its cameras to automatically recognize the connector types and the associated connection manoeuvre to perform this key function of the yard operations.

Gaussin’s zero-emission yard automation solution is based on the ATM and TSBM hydrogen-powered vehicle platforms already deployed by the company in electric version at 40 sites.

It also utilises Gaussin’s autonomous navigation technology, which enables vehicles to locate themselves, understand their environment and adapt their driving in complete safety according to events on their route.

A fleet supervision and orchestration software is also used to receive mission orders from the logistics operator and dispatch them optimally to each vehicle.

Trials this year

Real-world trials of the turnkey solution are planned for mid-2021 at two major e-commerce and logistics operators in the United States and Europe. The objective of these tests is to confirm the performance of the system in the configuration of the customer sites and to plan a commercial deployment before the end of 2021.