AIVOT project focuses on increasing automation level and optimizing the logistic process of large numbers of unmanned vehicles marshalled on large outdoor areas. This can be achieved by developing advanced situational awareness based on reliable perception technology, AI, edge computing, and wireless real time connectivity.
The downtime of logistic operations is minimized by ensuring the robustness of technologies in all weather conditions. More specifically, the focus is on novel infrastructure-based autonomous driving support functions, which are independent of vehicle manufacturers, and utilize the modern communication network as well as standardized remote-control features built in the new vehicles. The system concept allows to furnish the required additional sensors and communication capacity only to the infrastructure of the terminal keeping vehicle modifications cost-efficient
The developed technologies will also be utilized in other operating environments, like gravel and off-road conditions. This ensures that remote and semi-automated operation of the off-road vehicles can be conducted even in challenging terrain and weather conditions.
The AIVOT consortium, established in September 2024 within the eALLIANCE ecosystem and led by tech company Unikie, brings together leading Finnish companies, Patria, 3D Talo, Elisa, Posti, SE Mäkinen and VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. The consortium is keenly interested in exploiting the project’s results, technology and domain experts who are offering critical expertise and research institute bridging fundamental and applied research.
“VTT is developing not only the sensing for automated driving but also the adaptation of driving itself to different environments. On highways, where speeds are higher, sensor technology based on active illumination is used, enabling higher resolution and improved reliability. In off-road conditions, however, driving functions are restricted according to the terrain’s shape and structure. Additionally, VTT is responsible for the safety assessment of vehicle terminal operations”, says Research Team Leader Matti Kutila from VTT.
AIVOT project cooperates closely with the international AutoLog project which aims at fully automated driving in large automotive seaports and compounds around the world. Partnering with Volkswagen Group Logistics, Deutsche Telekom, and BIBA – Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik, including German companies, provides great added value. AIVOT is also the first project in Patria’s eALLIANCE programme.
For the upcoming 3 years and with the joint efforts of our partners the AIVOT project is ready to shape the future of automotive logistics and remote controlling of vehicles, toward a more connected, efficient, and environmentally conscious future. And ensuring Finland’s future growth and prosperity.
