Test Center for Innovative Port and Cargo Handling Technologies
Logistics is a key industrial sector in Germany, and particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, where many companies operate and many people are employed. By global standards, logistics in North Rhine-Westphalia is regarded as a benchmark for performance and efficiency. Infrastructure plays a central role in this context. To maintain and even strengthen this excellent position, continuous innovation and steady progress are essential.
The DST and the Chair of Mechatronics at the University of Duisburg-Essen have joined forces to advance research on the logistics infrastructure of the future through the Test Center for Innovative Port and Transshipment Technologies. The new research infrastructure will primarily focus on the research areas of port logistics and land-based activities in inland waterway transport.
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The test center features a test hall that replicates the topography of a port. In addition, the associated crane and cargo-handling infrastructure has been set up for use in test runs, and the necessary container and ship models are available. The test center also includes a model warehouse for weather-protected storage of the models, as well as the “Digital Port” Living Lab, an experimentation and interaction space for hardware and software developments within the framework of future digitalization projects. Both spatially and thematically, the test center for innovative port and transshipment technologies is located in close proximity to the existing Test and Control Center for Autonomous Inland Waterway Vessels (VeLABi).
Ship models
The HaFoLa has two model ships on a 1:16 scale. These are a Type 1 large motor vessel (GMS) and a large container motor vessel (JOWI class), as they are among the most common inland container vessels.
In addition, solutions for handling other types of cargo, such as liquid cargo, can also be investigated using these two model ships.
For other research topics, various ship models already available at the DST can also be utilized.
Digital Lab
The Digital Lab is an experimental and interactive space where the hardware and software infrastructure for future digitalization projects—particularly the digital mapping of port and cargo handling processes—is being developed.
Accordingly, it is extensively equipped with state-of-the-art technology. Numerous digital flipcharts, tablets/handhelds, and VR/AR headsets offer an immersive experience for research, presentations, training, and other activities. Camera systems and conference technology enable the monitoring of test series—both within the HaFoLa itself and from any location worldwide.
In the associated server room, computationally intensive simulations can also be performed and large amounts of data stored.
Projekte
CoboTank – Robot-assisted automation of the loading of inland tankers
The IHATEC-II research project CoboTank aims to develop and test collaborative and automated robotic systems to support the loading process of inland tankers. The project is implementing, on the one hand, partial automation using a collaborative robotic system (CoboTank) and, on the other hand, a fully automated refueling process using a robot (RoboTank). Learn more
MultiRELOAD – Port solutions for efficient, effective and sustainable multimodality
The European research project MultiRELOAD is developing solutions for the digitization and automation of inland ports along the Rhine and Danube rivers. It aims to enhance the competitiveness of more sustainable modes of transport—rail and waterways—and to foster collaboration among multimodal freight hubs. The project includes the inland ports of Duisburg, Vienna, and Basel, as well as the Hungarian Association of Danube Ports. Learn more
SEAMLESS – Safe, Efficient and Autonomous: Multimodal Library of European Shortsea and inland Solutions
The EU project SEAMLESS is investigating the future of waterborne logistics using automated units on both water and land. To create a fully automated, economically viable, cost-effective, and resilient waterborne transport service, missing technological components and key technologies must be developed and adapted. Learn more
Gallerie
Miniatur-Umschlaggeräte
Die skalierte Containerbrücke bildet eine reale Krananlage in Funktion und Form im Maßstab von 1:16 nach, sodass Lasten bis zu 20 Kilogramm umgeschlagen werden können. Leistungsfähige Steuerungstechnik, Sensorik und Antriebstechnik ermöglichen die Entwicklung hochautomatisierter Umschlagvorgänge. Beispielhaft verfügt die Containerbrücke über Positions-/Wegmesssysteme an allen Achsen sowie eine 3D-Kamera und einen LiDAR-Scanner zur Überwachung des Arbeitsbereichs.
Der skalierte Reachstacker ist ein Umschlaggerät, welches sich frei in der Versuchsumgebung des HaFoLa bewegen kann. Funktional bildet das skalierte System das reale System sehr genau nach. Aufgrund der umfangreichen technischen Ausstattung divergiert allerdings das optische Erscheinungsbild vom realen System. Um zukünftig Versuchsreihen zum hochautomatisierten Containerumschlag durchführen zu können, verfügt der Reachstacker über eine 3D-Kamera, einen LiDAR-Scanner, IMUs und mehrere Ultraschallsensoren zur Umgebungserfassung und automatisierten Navigation. Das automatisierte Containerhandling wird mittels einer weiteren 3D-Kamera am Ausleger ermöglicht.
Mithilfe des skalierten Drehkrans können Versuchsreihen zum Umschlag von Containern, Schüttgut und Stückgut durchgeführt werden. Die kinematische Struktur ermöglicht dabei einen vielseitigen Einsatz: Einerseits kann die Last an einer Doppelseilführung bewegt werden. Andererseits lässt sich die Seilführung vollständig einziehen, sodass eine starre kinematische Armstruktur – vergleichbar mit einem Hydraulikkran – abgebildet wird. Der Drehkran verfügt über umfangreiche Steuerungstechnik, Sensorik und Antriebstechnik, sodass mit dem Drehkran am hochautomatisierten Umschlag geforscht werden kann.
Impressum