5G: remote-controlled container handling at Novandi

This has given rise to the LUSTA 5G Proof of Concept (5G Teleoperated & Autonomous Secure Multimodal Logistics). It is part of the FPS Economy's call for 5G projects, designed to boost innovation through concrete projects based on this mobile technology.

An operator located in a remote control station remotely operates a crane and monitors the truck performing maneuvers, autonomously, on the logistics platform whilst relying on a private 5G network. The key benefits? Better working conditions, increased safety and higher productivity.

5G guarantees stability and bandwidth for sending information, via sensors and cameras, from the field to the control room. It also ensures low latency (i.e. an extremely short delay between sending and receiving information), which is essential for operator responsiveness so that orders arrive in real time to the truck and to the crane. “Logistics terminals are complex industrial environments that are not very conducive to signal transmission. The 4G network and Wi-Fi cannot offer this quality of service”, Stéphane Deketelaere, Head of Signal & Embedded Systems Department at Multitel, explains.

Synergy between different players

Each partner has made its own contribution to the project. As well as making its logistics platform and infrastructure available, Novandi provided the constraints, obligations and advice to ensure that the solution met the needs of the field.

Proximus NXT ensured connectivity by deploying the private 5G network, from the site survey for the positioning of the antennas to their installation, including the network core. In order to predict and guarantee a high quality of service, Multitel developed a real-time monitoring system for the quality of the 5G network to predict its safe operation.

Seafar integrated a monitoring and sensor system both on the crane and on ex9's autonomous truck, connected to the private 5G network. Seafar then installed a remote control station, and adjusted the hard- and software based on feedback from the crane operator's tests. Our partner ex9 provided an autonomous electric truck, capable of driving without the intervention of a driver via the 5G network and ready to be interfaced with the Seafar system.

Finally, Logistics in Wallonia is communicating the results of the PoC within its network to raise awareness of the opportunities offered by 5G in a logistics project.

Improved working conditions

Thanks to remote operation, the crane operator becomes the operator of a remote control station. Their working conditions are improved, as Kevin Vandermeulen, Terminal Manager at Liege Containers Terminals, explains: “The crane operator no longer has to climb into his cab, and runs fewer risks. They are no longer dependent on the weather or on the jerks of the machine, which can damage their health. Instead of working bent over, they sit on an ergonomic seat, facing the screens. This will make the job more attractive and help us to find new crane operator profiles in the future.”

“There will be financial benefits too, as crane operators spend a lot of their time waiting in their cabs,” Cyrielle adds. In the future, Novandi hopes to deploy this solution at various sites. From a central control station, an operator would move from one site to another depending on the arrival of barges.

Enzo Salvatore, CTO & Co-Founder of ex9, points to decarbonisation, another advantage: “We are replacing a diesel truck with an electric truck. Automation also allows us to optimize journeys and reduce the energy required.”

Kevin Vandermeulen, Terminal Manager at Liege Containers Terminals

Overcoming psychological, operational and technological obstacles

In a PoC of this scale, the partners have to show agility and flexibility. Psychologically, Novandi had to convince its in-house teams of the benefits and added value of the solution. In organizational terms, the Liège-based group had to make its staff available and ensure good communication between crane operators and engineers so that everyone understood each other.

“It's essential to connect the technological world with the operational reality,” Louis-Robert Cool, CEO of Seafar, explains. “On the one hand, you have to bring together the requirements, the technological innovations and the engineers, and on the other, the practical needs and operational constraints on the ground.”

“Whether it's the connectivity aspect or the remote operation aspect of the crane and truck, assembling different technologies is also a challenge,” Frédéric adds. “Integrating new technology into an older crane is no mean feat if you want to maintain optimum safety levels.”

The entire logistics sector will benefit

“The concept has been validated. We've moved on from the idea to implementation and technical refinement to arrive at a functional solution,” Frédéric says. “Even if the solution is not yet operational in industrial mode, we have validated the leads and we know how to proceed to bring the PoC to an operational and marketed stage.”

Stéphane stresses that no bottlenecks have been identified: “The players involved are the right ones, so we're on the right track for industrialization. This PoC defines a fairly clear roadmap for the future.”

“Optimizing one link in the multimodal chain makes the sector more attractive and more competitive with road transport. By attracting more customers, we will reduce the number of lorries on the road,” Cyrielle concludes.