TELEOPERATED AND AUTONOMOUSLY CONTROLLED TRUCK SUCCESSFULLY TESTED: A MILESTONE FOR THE FUTURE OF LOGISTICS

Road Services, 11. November 2024

Last Friday, a pioneering test operation for us as a logistics company took place on the Am Dolzbach industrial estate in Bad Neustadt: A teleoperated and autonomously controlled truck set off from our company premises onto the road for the first time - controlled from a specially set up control center, completely without a driver at the wheel*.

From left to right: Thomas Neugebauer (Götting company), Timo Eggers (Götting company), Malte Niemeyer (Götting company), Jochen Geis (Managing Partner Geis Group), Jörg Rotthowe (Managing Director Geis Group Road Services), Hans-Wolfgang Geis (Managing Partner Geis Group), Kai Weber (IT Geis Group), Ralf Lammering (Managing Director ZQM/Projects Hans Geis GmbH + Co KG), Prof. Dr. Christian Bachmeir (Würzburg-Schweinfurt University)

This test run is part of the government-funded 5G-INNOPLAT-NES project, which we are carrying out in close cooperation with our technology partner Götting KG. The aim of the project is to establish teleoperation as a solution for local transport and thus find an answer to the increasing shortage of skilled workers in professional road transport.

Cutting-edge technology in use

The test focused on controlling the vehicle via a highly developed 5G teleoperation system. This technology enables safe and precise remote control of the truck in real time. Thanks to non-existent transmission delays and high-resolution image transmission, the operator in the control center was able to observe the vehicle's surroundings in detail and transmit control commands at lightning speed. Even the autonomous driving of a route previously scanned using geocoordinates is possible with the 5G network.

"The moment when the truck started moving without a driver at the wheel was a significant moment for all of us. This technology can become a real game changer for the logistics industry."

Jochen Geis, Managing Partner of the Geis Group

The result: the truck navigated safely and precisely through the test site, impressive proof of the potential of this technology.

Safe, efficient and forward-looking

Teleoperation in particular offers not only efficiency but also clear advantages in terms of safety. The operator is always in full control and can react immediately if necessary - be it to avoid obstacles or initiate a braking maneuver. This combination of innovative technology and human expertise is an important basis for future automation in the logistics sector.

"Our aim is to drive forward automation in the logistics sector and improve working conditions for skilled workers at the same time. This successful test run shows the potential of this technology."

Hans-Wolfgang Geis, Managing Partner of the Geis Group

Stay tuned - we will keep you up to date on the next steps!

* For safety reasons, a driver sat in the truck to be able to intervene in an emergency.