The automated electric tow tractor – nicknamed Brunhilde – operated successfully from 2009 to 2020 at the Adient company in the Zwickau factory
and reached 35,000 operating hours. This electric tow tractor is the first driverless transport vehicle (FTF) in Germany, whose area of application had a connection to public traffic.
The tractor reliably transported goods in up to 2 trailers from a factory hall with an automatic gate to a transfer area in 12 minute cycles or on call, covering a distance of over 300 m on each journey. During the journey it passed a factory yard with mixed traffic, on which, for example, delivery trucks, people and forklift trucks were moving. This yard had a direct connection to the public traffic area.
Brunhilde AGV in factory hall
Brunhilde starts for her last ride
Functions that Brunhilde implemented as an example for outdoor vehicles automated by Götting:
- The trailers were coupled and uncoupled automatically.
- The vehicle also carries out the turning manoeuvres at the 2 transfer points automatically.
- The automation is integrated into the vehicle in such a way that the electric tow tractor can still be driven manually.
- Safety devices ensure that the driverless transport system (AGV) can stop and restart automatically if obstacles such as people, trucks or forklifts cross the track.
- The battery can be changed quickly using a forklift truck. This allows long operating times with minimal disruption.
View of Brunhilde from the public traffic area
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We thank the company Adient
for the good cooperation. Brunhilde will be used in the future as a demonstration vehicle for automated driving at Götting.
Contact person: Sales AGVs FOX
