The renowned magazine c’t has published a background article on the AKIT-PRO project
(full article only with heise+ account). The topic of the project could not be more timely.

How can emergency vehicles be automated or made remotely controllable for safe use in a disaster situation in the shortest possible time to quickly minimize damage? This question was addressed by the project partners of the AKIT-PRO research project
throughout Germany.

Project partners in the AKIT network were the SMEs GÖTTING KG and BINZ Ambulance- und Umwelttechnik GmbH
, and the Fraunhofer Institute IOSB
, IOSB-AST
and IPA
. The project work was supported by the following associated partners:

CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH

Liebherr-Werk Bischofshofen GmbH

Continental Automotive GmbH

Heinrich Hirdes Kampfmittelräumung GmbH

Feuerwehr und Katastrophenschutz Mannheim

Kerntechnische Hilfsdienst GmbH

Through this broad mix, representatives from industry, research and development worked together on a practical automation concept.

The AKIT-PRO practical tests took place on the premises of the Lower Saxony State Office for Fire and Disaster Protection
in Celle-Scheuen. During the test runs, Götting KG used a so-called autonomy kit, which was used for the first time in this form. The kit consists of electromechanical actuators which, as driving robots, take over the control tasks of the driver: Pedal actuators operate the pedals, and a steering wheel actuator controls the steering wheel. A weatherproof set of sensors and communications hardware gets installed on the roof of the vehicle. The set includes cameras, LiDAR safety scanners and position detection via satellite navigation, among other things. The data is transmitted to the control station via a modern WLAN mesh.

The video-based remote control of a commercial tractor, which was used in the project as a transport vehicle for cargo goods, worked as well as if the operator in the control station was sitting in the vehicle itself. Even inexperienced guests at the final event steered the vehicle right away and were able to perform driving maneuvers.

3D sketch of a tractor with the electromechanical actuators operating pedals and steering wheel

Photos of the actuators for pedals and steering wheel