The service organisation that tests, inspects, and certifies technical systems has positively evaluated FERNRIDE's safety & security concept for autonomous terminal tractors.
TÜV SÜD has reviewed the hazard and risk analyses, safety concept, specifications of the safety functions, and validation plan. "The evaluation concluded that FERNRIDE's safety concept is robust and well-founded, while also identifying clear next steps to further enhance the overall safety framework," FERNRIDE shared in a press release.
The company that is testing remote-to-autonomous terminal tractors in HHLA's container terminal in the Port of Tallinn's Muuga Harbour says that TÜV SÜD's stamp of approval is the first stage on the path to compliance certification according to the Machinery Directive for its fully CE-certified autonomous terminal tractors. "The evaluation by TÜV SÜD marks an essential step in preparation for the autonomous driving tests without a safety driver present in the vehicle. The first driverless tests are scheduled to start as early as December 2024," FERNRIDE underlined.
"The European Union is renowned for its stringent and comprehensive regulations and standards, making the process of achieving compliance and obtaining necessary certifications highly complex. As a result, many autonomous driving companies are hesitant to enter the market. FERNRIDE is pioneering the development of a benchmark when it comes to safety in autonomous trucking in the European Union. Being a deep-tech startup, we put a strong focus on industrializing safe and secure products, so we are very pleased with the positive outcome of the evaluation by TÜV SÜD," said Hendrik Kramer, the company's CEO and Co-Founder.
FERNRIDE's Director for Systems, Safety and Security, Tilmann Ochs, added, "At FERNRIDE we are committed to building safety-by-design. This is a first-of-its-kind process in the European Union, and our priority is to set the highest benchmark in safety & security standards for our product. The comprehensive examination by TÜV SÜD combined with our seasoned engineering teams, who have experience launching safety-critical products, we are well-positioned to achieve this goal."
Benedikt Pulver, Head of the Machine Safety Department at TÜV SÜD, also shared, "Working with FERNRIDE is very solution-oriented and the topic of safety is taken very seriously. We are regularly provided with new and adapted safety concepts for review. Not only are existing protection concepts skilfully implemented, but new technological approaches are also developed. This combination could make FERNRIDE one of the first manufacturers with a CE-compliant solution for autonomous port applications."
Photo: FERNRIDE