ANT Machines

ANT Machines develops automated heavy-duty robots for yard operations. They address the issues of driver shortage, sustainability, and operational efficiency and are intended to replace conventional terminal trucks to make intralogistics more environmentally friendly and resilient. Within EARASHI, they therefore intend to address the Challenge 8: Automation for the optimization of intra-factory logistics. The existing ANT Robot prototype (TRL 4) has been tested with various types of equipment used to move heavy loads in closed perimeters of commercial and logistical sites (trailers, container chassis, roll-trailers) in a remote-controlled mode. Developing a fully-automated solution will increase efficiency of the intralogistics flow of goods and reduce the workload on workers.

Working with the EARASHI consortium, specifically the Autonomy Toolbox (FM-SLAM) by Flanders Make, and the available engineering system integration support, we can increase the ANT TRL to 7 and perform demonstration of autonomous operations in a relevant environment with an interested stakeholder – the Port of Tyne in Newcastle, UK. Deployment of this technology would allow optimization of the internal flow of materials that need to be moved between two locations on one site, increasing traceability, predictability, and overall throughput while decreasing unproductive downtime. Removing people from direct operations with heavy equipment will increase onsite safety and fully electric operations will support decarbonization of the facility.

AutoANT will also address associated challenges such as:

• Items and good flow optimization and Algorithms for flow optimization – by optimizing yard routes and timing of operations
• Fleet management and Reduction of operator travel – by making sure that the best-fit unit takes the assignment
• Simultaneous Localization and Mapping algorithms – by using the FM-SLAM, leading to lower deployment time and the necessary localization level to ensure safe swarm operations.