Tests of driverless trucks underway in Tallinn terminal

31 January 2023

HHLA Next investing in Fernride to come up with solutions for automation of trucks in live operations

Tests of driverless, cargo-laden trucks have begun at the HHLA TK Estonia Terminal in Tallinn as part of HHLA Next's investment in the Munich-based Fernride, a press release said Wednesday (January 18, 2023). The start-up has come up with a solution to drive forward automation and sustainability in logistics and to tackle the lack of truck drivers.

Promising results already

Simone Lode, Managing Director of HHLA Next, said: "We at HHLA Next invest in digital and sustainable business models in maritime logistics. We see great potential in autonomous driving solutions, also because of the current lack of truck drivers. We are investing in Fernride, a company that has already implemented a viable solution with a partner network of respected companies from industry and logistics with very good results. In addition, the project highlights our focus on sustainable logistics." Hendrik Kramer, CEO of Fernride, commented: "HHLA is the perfect partner to use our platform for autonomous electric trucking in ports. The advantages of remote control can already be actively used by a part of the workforce within ports.“

Data from real operations train algorithm for autonomous driving

Fernride's technology equips trucks and tractor units with sensors and cameras so that they can be remote-controlled via mobile networks. Teleoperators at a computer workstation similar to a vehicle cockpit take remote control of the vehicles. The teleoperator receives and sends targeted commands in real time by controlling the gas pedal, brakes, steering wheel and joystick. Fernride's algorithms can be trained using data from the real-life operations for more autonomous functions.

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