Self-Driving Yard Trucks | Autonomous Shipping Solutions - isee

The Rise of Autonomous Vehicles Beyond Robotaxis

While fully autonomous robotaxis remain on the horizon, the impact of self-driving technology is already being felt across various industries. ISEE, a company originating from MIT, has pinpointed shipping yards as a prime area for transformation. These facilities, currently reliant on a shrinking workforce of human drivers, could soon be operated by the company’s specialized robotic yard trucks.

The Crucial Role of Shipping Yards

Shipping yards function as a vital buffer within the logistics network. Containers unloaded from ships require immediate handling – some for urgent transport, others for customs clearance, and still others needing refrigerated storage with power connections.

Currently, professional drivers manage this process, connecting containers to short-haul trucks and maneuvering them to designated locations. However, this role is increasingly affected by labor shortages, as fewer individuals are drawn to the repetitive, demanding, and potentially hazardous nature of the work.

ISEE’s Solution: Automated Yard Operations

ISEE’s co-founders, Yibiao Zhao and Debbie Yu, recognized the need for increased automation within the logistics sector, specifically in container yards. Zhao noted the surprisingly outdated nature of many yard operations, describing them as “basically just people yelling,” and highlighting a significant opportunity for improvement.

The ISEE trucks are not entirely custom-built, but rather retrofitted yard trucks equipped with lidar, cameras, and sensors to provide comprehensive 360-degree awareness. These vehicles transport unmodified containers to and from locations within the yard, skillfully maneuvering trailers into parking spaces with minimal clearance.

Seamless Integration and Enhanced Safety

“A customer adopts our solution just as if they’re hiring another driver,” explains Zhao. No dedicated safety zones or special yard modifications are necessary. The ISEE trucks intelligently navigate the yard, avoiding obstacles, yielding to personnel, and accommodating both autonomous and human-operated vehicles.

This approach leverages current autonomous driving capabilities to ensure safety within a dynamic and unpredictable environment. Unlike conventional yard trucks, ISEE’s technology eliminates the limitations imposed by a driver’s restricted visibility.

Boosting Efficiency and Overcoming Limitations

Automated systems offer a distinct advantage over human drivers, particularly in overcoming a unique constraint: the driver’s seat position on the left side restricts parking to the left. ISEE trucks, unburdened by this limitation, can park efficiently in either direction, a capability that has impressed human drivers.

Furthermore, the infallible memory of a machine enhances efficiency. Zhao explains that human drivers often waste time searching for containers due to difficulty recalling their locations. A computer, however, never forgets, eliminating wasted fuel and time.

Consistent Performance and Continuous Improvement

The robotic platform also ensures consistent performance. Yu points out that human drivers require time to gain experience, whereas ISEE’s system delivers immediate efficiency gains. “That’s basically what customers care about the most; the supply chain depends on throughput.”

A key challenge has been moderating speed – enabling the vehicle to accelerate when possible, but also to decelerate proactively, not only for obstacles but also for navigating blind corners with caution.

A Training Ground for Future Autonomy

ISEE views this application as an ideal environment for developing autonomous technology. Zhao states, “Today’s robots work with very predefined rules in very constrained environments, but in the future autonomous cars will drive in open environments.”

He continues, “We see this tech gap, how to enable robots or autonomous vehicles to deal with uncertainty.” The shipping yard provides a relatively unconstrained environment with complex human interactions, offering a perfect blend of controlled conditions and real-world challenges.

Real-World Implementation and Future Prospects

ISEE is not merely a theoretical venture. The company is actively collaborating with major shippers, including Lazer Spot and Maersk, who collectively operate hundreds of yards and thousands of trucks. Many of these could potentially be automated using ISEE’s technology.

Currently, ISEE is working with Maersk to deploy several vehicles into active service. The Maersk Growth Fund has also invested in ISEE, suggesting a potential acquisition in the future. However, the immediate focus is on expanding and refining the technology, solidifying ISEE’s position as a leader in the field.