Port of Hamburg introduces automated drones

HHLA Sky, a subsidiary of port and transport logistics company Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), and the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) have entered into a technology partnership. Hence, together the companies want to make it possible to use automated drones within the Port of Hamburg. 

Concept

As explained, the automated drones technology will assist in finding many promising solutions for logistical, sensory, or coordinative processes. 

“In the event of storm surges, accidents or other unforeseeable disruptions; flying, floating or self-driving robots can be on-site considerably faster, and provide high-resolution videos and pictures for an exact overview of the situation. The time saved can be decisive in an emergency… Furthermore, they make the maintenance and expansion of the port infrastructure significantly more efficient. For example, in the case of facilities that are difficult, time-consuming or dangerous to reach.”

Jens Meier, Chairman of the Executive Board of the HPA

Drone control

Moreover, HHLA Sky has a developed control center for the operation and monitoring of drones and has introduced it on the global market. Particularly, it connects the various HPA applications within the technology partnership scope to streamline processes that were previously labor-intensive. Therefore, the devices can operate more efficiently.

Note that, more than 100 drones can be controlled for various missions via the HHLA Sky control center.

“The next phase of product development for our new ‘automated drones as a service’ product will be launched with this partnership. We will begin pilot operations this year,”

Phanthian Zuesongdham, Head of Division Port Process Solutions at the HPA

“Our solution will display and control all associated processes in a safe and understandable manner… Furthermore, the HPA is able to collect very different kinds of data using mobile teleoperated sensors. Analysing it helps us use resources optimally.” 

Matthias Gronstedt, Managing Director of HHLA Sky

Source: HHLA

See Also: Drone Inspection Service for Offshore Units