Neousys Technology imagines standing at the center of one of the world’s busiest ports, where there are constant operations and colossal ships, some holding up to 24,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), that are efficiently loaded and unloaded.
These deepwater ports, capable of moving between 500 million to a billion tons of cargo annually, operate around the clock every day of the year. With multiple gates facilitating the flow of goods in and out, the scale of manpower required to sustain such operations is extremely large. Yet, behind the scenes, a silent revolution is transforming how these ports function: automation.
Problem-Solving
The sheer volume of containers that pass through these ports daily presents logistical issues. Each container, weighing up to 28 tons, needs to be carefully transported, placed, and tracked after being offloaded.
While not every cargo ship carries 24,000 TEUs, even a vessel loaded with half that amount requires the unloading of approximately 10,000 TEUs, a task that demands precision and efficiency. The question is: How do ports manage this monumental task without compromising speed or safety?
Automation
Seaport digitization began in the early 1990s, laying the foundation for today’s advanced automation technologies. Among the most significant advancements is crane automation — the ability to remotely control cranes that once required skilled operators to physically be in the cockpit. This shift has brought multifaceted benefits:
Reduced Manpower: Experienced crane operators are not only expensive but also in short supply. Automation mitigates this issue by requiring fewer operators, who can now work remotely.
Enhanced Safety: Traditional crane operation demanded operators to climb up and down from high cockpits, exposing them to potential hazards. With remote-controlled systems, this risk is eliminated, creating a safer working environment.
Increased Efficiency: Remote operation cuts down on time wasted as operators no longer need to physically enter and exit the crane cockpit. This leads to quicker turnaround times and less fatigue for workers.
Improved Working Conditions: Operators working remotely have the flexibility to take breaks as needed, enhancing overall job satisfaction and productivity.
The benefits of remote crane operation extend beyond just operational efficiency. It offers operators peace of mind, knowing that required facilities are within easy reach, not several hundred feet away.
Intelligent Transport Systems
The next step of this automation revolution involves the transportation of containers within the port. Traditionally, this task required drivers to manually transport containers to designated areas.
Early attempts at automation saw the use of magnetic strip-guided vehicles, but these systems demanded extensive and costly infrastructure changes, including the installation of thousands of magnets and ongoing maintenance.
Today, ports are adopting Intelligent Guided Vehicles (IGVs) equipped with cameras, sensors, lidars, and radars. These vehicles navigate the port autonomously, avoiding obstacles and delivering containers to their designated spots with precision.
Each IGV is connected to a central control system, ensuring that every movement is tracked in real-time. The data collected by the IGVs — when and where each container is picked up and dropped off — is seamlessly integrated into the port’s main computer system, further streamlining operations.
The synergy between crane automation and IGV systems provides impressive safety, efficiency, and cost savings, setting a new standard for port operations worldwide.
Neousys Computer Platforms
At the core of these advanced systems lies the need for robust and reliable computing platforms. In crane cockpits, embedded computers must connect to multiple cameras — preferably via USB or PoE due to limited power availability.
These computers have to function reliably in extreme conditions, enduring wide temperature fluctuations, shocks, and vibrations as they oversee the offloading process from various angles.
Similarly, the IGVs require computers akin to those found in vehicles, capable of interfacing with sensors, lidars, cameras, and wireless communication modules. These systems must also withstand the harsh conditions of a bustling port environment.
Neousys offers a comprehensive range of embedded computers designed to meet these rigorous demands. Whether it’s GPU-aided or non-GPU-aided, extreme-compact or compact, power-efficient, or high-performance systems, Neousys provides solutions tailored to the unique challenges of seaport automation.
The company’s IP67 waterproof, extreme rugged computers, crafted from monoblock stainless steel, are built to thrive in ultra-challenging environments, ensuring that ports can continue to push the boundaries of efficiency and safety.
The ongoing digitization and automation of seaports are not just enhancing operational efficiency but are also redefining the very nature of global trade. As technology continues to evolve, ports around the world will increasingly rely on advanced systems like those offered by Neousys to stay competitive in an ever-demanding market. The company believes the future of seaport operations is here, and it’s automated.
Benefits of Neousys Embedded Computers
Neousys rugged embedded platforms offer the following advantages:
Environmental
- IP67 water/ dustproof GPU computer
- Extreme rugged computers for extra volatile environmental conditions
- True -25°C up to 70°C wide-temperature operations for harsh, volatile environments
- Patented Cassette design for segregating thermal/ electrical interference
- Tri-axis tested patented damping bracket to withstand shock and vibration conditions
- Ultra-compact VTC systems to fit into tight spaces
Connectivity/ expandability
- PoE+ connectivity for GigE cameras
- USB3.1 Gen1/ Gen2 connectivity for USB cameras
- Connection ports with screw-lock for rugged connectivity
- WiFi 6/ WiFi 5/ 5G/ 4G wireless communication, expansion via mini-PCIe module
Inference processing power
- Support up to dual NVIDIA® RTX 30 series graphics cards
- Support up to NVIDIA® RTX 3080 graphics card
- Support up to NVIDIA® Tesla/ Quadro inference accelerators
Electrical
- Patented SuperCAP UPS to counteract unforeseen power interruptions
- Wide-range DC input
Expansion
- PCIe expansion
- PCI expansion
- mini-PCIe expansion
- M.2 B/ E key expansion
- Ignition control
- MezIO digital input/ output, COM, Ethernet, USB
Visit the Neousys Technology website to find out more.
