BTG Positioning Systems and GPR Ground Positioning Radar have formalized a multi-year contract valued at $40 million to develop and supply advanced positioning technology aimed at enhancing automation in seaports.
This initiative seeks to address the operational challenges faced by ports worldwide, which are crucial nodes in the global trade network, handling an estimated 80% of international trade.
The complexities of seaport environments, characterized by limited visibility, variable weather conditions, unreliable GNSS signals, and the high cost of sensor technologies, have historically hindered the widespread adoption of automated vehicles and cranes. The partnership between BTG and GPR introduces a novel approach to positioning autonomous port equipment through the exclusive use of ground-penetrating radar. This technology seeks to improve accuracy and reliability across all visibility conditions, potentially reducing the financial barriers to automation for port operators by lowering both initial investment and ongoing operational costs.
The agreement grants BTG exclusive rights to utilize GPR’s technology within seaport applications, following a year of collaborative development between the two companies. The partnership aims to overcome the automation bottleneck in ports by eliminating the need for extensive infrastructure typically required for positioning systems, facilitating broader implementation of autonomous guided vehicles and gantry cranes.
Diek Neurdenburg, CEO of BTG Positioning Systems, highlighted the significance of the new system, emphasizing its potential to match the precision and reliability of traditional positioning systems without the infrastructure dependency. Moran David, CEO of GPR, underscored the collaboration’s intent to advance autonomous transportation in ports, noting the integration of GPR’s technology into BTG’s suite of solutions as a step towards realizing a fully automated port environment.
