Patrick Stevedores to use all-robot straddle carriers in Brisbane
Patrick Stevedores, in Australia, said it will use an all-robot fleet of straddle carriers at its Fisherman Island berth 7 in Brisbane.
After a year of using five retro-fitted robot straddles, known also as 'autostrads,' Patrick ordered 14 Kalmar ESC straddle carriers equipped for unmanned operations.
Kalmar’s machine control systems move, brake and steer the robot straddles, and also control the picking and placing of containers in correct positions
The autostrads are completely segregated from human drivers. During unloading operations, a road truck backs into the yard, and the driver leaves the truck and closes the gate behind him. “Only then can the straddle carrier enter through another gate to pick up the container,” the company said.