PRESS RELEASE
In a landmark collaboration, Unikie plays a pivotal role in the groundbreaking AutoLog research project aiming at fully automated driving in large automotive seaports and compounds around the world. Partnering with Volkswagen Group Logistics, Deutsche Telekom, and BIBA – Bremer Institut für Produktion und Logistik, Unikie is set to redefine operational efficiency and mixed-traffic navigation in gated areas, starting at Europe’s third-largest automotive seaport in Emden, Germany.
Unikie, a global pioneer in automated vehicle logistics, implements the state-of-the-art Unikie Marshalling Solution, UMS, in the AutoLog project to enable fully automated vehicle movements without human intervention. As UMS is vehicle-brand agnostic and utilizes standardized technology in modern cars, vans, light commercial vehicles, buses, and trucks, its implementation is fast and cost-efficient.
“We are proud to harness UMS technology on a larger scale in Emden, marking a new era in automotive logistics. Together with key partners, we are addressing critical industry challenges such as driver shortages, increasing handling volumes, limited space, sustainability, and growing demand to reduce operational costs, and enabling completely new types of logistical processes,” said Vesa Kiviranta, Chief Business Officer of Technology Solutions at Unikie.
In practice, the UMS technology ensures precise and safe vehicle control and maneuvering, even in densely populated or confined areas. This allows optimization of logistics strategies and rethinking of driving operations. Unikie’s UMS works with the latest and best-suited sensor technology in the infrastructure, such as lidar, camera, and radar technology.
Transforming the object of logistics into the mode of transport
At the automotive compound in Emden, Volkswagen Group handles around 1,3 million vehicles annually.
“While it is a gated environment with restricted access for authorized people, it is remarkable that we are speaking about automated driving in mixed traffic with human drivers. Another significant feature is how we are transforming the object of logistics into the mode of transport. Our methods rewrite all that is known of logistics optimization today due to the capability of parallel operations with automated vehicles instead of the traditional one-person, one-moved-vehicle equation,” Kiviranta said.
Leveraging a € 5.8 million investment, the AutoLog project will optimize all existing processes and develop new strategies and ways of fully automated operation to be ready for a global rollout within three years. It aims to create the standard or blueprint for all vehicle logistics operations based on automated systems to expand traditional human-driven processes. The project anticipates significant reductions in vehicle and infrastructure damage alongside notable cost savings and process innovations.
“We are looking forward to exploring the possibilities that fully automated driving offers in finished vehicle logistics, and we are confident that we can leverage significant potentials with our partner Unikie,” said Dr. Toni Erfurth, Head of Digitalization, Projects Vehicle Logistics at Volkswagen Group Logistics.
“With the AutoLog project we have the opportunity to optimize our network capabilities for automated driving and marshalling systems like Unikie. We are looking forward to evaluating logistics improvement potential with the help of our 5G network and Edge Cloud solution, together with our partners Unikie, Volkswagen and BIBA,” said Enno Borchers, responsible for Industry Partner Digital Production at Telekom Deutschland.
For Unikie, the AutoLog project enables scaling and expanding its latest system at the test facility in Turku, Finland.
“Unikie’s unique strength is that UMS functions with any vehicle regardless of brand, enabled by the standard interface. In automotive logistics, brand-agnostic functionality and standardization are essential for operating all vehicles seamlessly. Our target is to enable unparalleled efficiency and scalability, a smooth traffic flow, reduced congestion, and a minimized environmental impact of logistics operations in any industry while spearheading digitalization of logistical chains,” said Unikie’s Ilkka Harjunpää, Director of Business Development, Solutions, Country Manager, Germany.
About Unikie
Unikie, founded in 2015, is at the forefront of software development and innovation, specializing in edge computing, AI, and machine learning solutions. With a focus on the automotive, manufacturing, and telecommunications sectors, Unikie is dedicated to delivering high-impact solutions that drive efficiency, enhance safety, and revolutionize industries. Through projects like AutoLog, Unikie continues to set the standard for excellence in automated driving technologies and operational efficiency. As one of the fastest growing Finnish companies it employs close to 600 people in three continents.
About the AutoLog research project
Media contacts
Elina Mansner, Director of Marketing and Communications
elina.mansner@unikie.com +358 44 044 7767
Image: Volkswagen Group
