The ANITA project, a collaborative effort between DB Cargo, MAN Truck & Bus, Hochschule Fresenius, and Götting KG, has successfully concluded its three-year duration. The project aimed to explore ways to make freight handling in the growing segment of Combined Traffic more efficient and flexible. Through the development of an autonomous truck and a digital communication system, the project partners were able to integrate the truck seamlessly into the logistics process, highlighting the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles in container terminals.
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ANITA project successfully completed, revolutionizing cargo handling efficiency
The research project “Autonomous Innovation in Terminal Operations” (ANITA) was initiated in July 2020 to explore how to make freight handling in the growing segment of Combined Transport more efficient and flexible. Four companies – DB Cargo, MAN Truck & Bus, Hochschule Fresenius, and Götting KG – collaborated to address this question. Following a midterm evaluation in May last year, the project has now been successfully completed.
ANITA: Three-year Mammoth Project Successfully Completed with Autonomous Trucks
The ANITA project, which lasted for three years, was a massive undertaking that involved extensive preparation and the development of a digital communication system. It included six months of practical testing, during which the project partners successfully created an autonomous truck capable of independently handling container loading tasks through digital mission planning. The truck was not only used as a standalone vehicle in the container terminal but was also digitally integrated into the logistics process to maximize the potential benefits of autonomous trucks. The test drives, conducted with safety drivers and development engineers, provided valuable insights for continuously refining the autonomous driving functions of the trucks, optimizing their interaction with mission planning, and preparing the terminals for their comprehensive daily use.
Successful ANITA Project Shows Potential for 40% Efficiency Gain
The test drives took place at the DB Intermodal Services Container Depot and DUSS Container Terminal in Ulm. The insights gained from these drives are particularly valuable as they come from real-world operational environments, not just controlled laboratory settings. Dr. Martina Niemann, Board Member for Finance, Controlling, and Offer Management at DB Cargo, expressed satisfaction with the long-term test: “The autonomous truck performs well in actual terminal operations and can make a significant contribution to the future viability of combined transportation.” These claims are supported by data showing the potential for up to a 40% increase in efficiency and improved process stability.
ANITA project delivers valuable insights for autonomous truck use in terminals
The ANITA project has successfully provided valuable insights for the implementation of autonomous trucks in terminals, aiming to make combined transport future-proof. The gained knowledge will now be evaluated and applied in the coming years to optimize freight handling, making it more predictable, efficient, and flexible. This, in turn, opens up new perspectives for the logistics industry, as the use of autonomous trucks can significantly increase efficiency and improve process stability. ANITA has demonstrated that the future of terminals is digital and autonomous driving is a crucial component for the logistics sector’s development in the years to come.
