Kalmar, Forterra Working on Autonomous Yard Tractor

Kalmar and Forterra have signed a joint development agreement to develop autonomous terminal tractor solutions.

Under the terms of the new partnership, Kalmar will be responsible for developing the automation-ready terminal tractor. This will include a drive-by-wire solution integration as well as the Kalmar One fleet management system to manage the operation of automated terminal tractor fleets.

A Complete Autonomous Logistics System

Forterra will be responsible for the integration of its AutoDrive platform for autonomous operations for the terminal tractor. The company is a provider of autonomous systems and claims to be among the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology.

In a press release detailing the partnership, Forerra noted that it has provided autonomous solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense and off-highway commercial applications. Its AutoDrive system is a driverless system for complex, fluid working environments such as ports and logistics centers.

“This agreement brings together our vast experience in developing world-class autonomous systems and Kalmar’s extensive experience in port and terminal automation with their market-leading terminal tractor product,” said Josh Araujo, CEO, Forterra. “We believe AutoDrive is the best platform to create a compelling new offering for the container and trailer-handling market.”

“We believe that automated operations will eventually become the standard in the container-handling industry,” added Juuso Kanner, vice president, automation business line, Kalmar. “There is huge potential in automating terminal tractors in terms of safety and productivity."

Kanner said it will use what it learned on its Kalmar RoboTractor pilot done in Norway, and it will leverage its experience in straddle carrier automation, which has been adopted by a number of leading container terminals around the world.