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Partnership to introduce autonomous tow tractors

Fusion Processing and Bradshaw Vehicles have announced the beginning of a new partnership to develop fully autonomous tow tractors.

Used extensively in factory, warehouse and airport logistics, autonomising these vehicles could improve safety and drive operational efficiencies in terms of refining logistics of complex environments, where the smooth running and timely delivery of goods and baggages is key. 

Fusion Processing’s CAVstar control and sensing system will reportedly be used to make Bradshaw’s third generation T700 and T800 Tow Tractors fully autonomous (unmanned). The the artificial intelligence system uses a range of sensors including LIDAR, optical cameras and ultrasonics to build a picture of the environment around the vehicle and plot the most efficient, safe route. 

The autonomous tow tractors could be operated safely inside factories where GPS signal is unavailable, without the need for installation of expensive infrastructure. 

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CEO of Fusion Processing, Jim Hutchinson, said: “We can apply our AI and engineering expertise developed on numerous autonomous vehicle projects, including the world’s first full sized autonomous bus, to transform the warehouse logistics industry.”

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