What problem is SEAL Robotics addressing?

Dr. Daniel Leidner:
“Many people think that container terminals are already highly automated. That is not quite true. While some ports have adopted automation in horizontal transport using AGVs, i.e. driverless transport vehicles, and vertical transport with partially automated cranes, many steps in between are still done manually.One of the most crucial ones is securing containers during the different transport steps. This includes securing containers on ships using twistlocks as well as securing them during rail transport with the pins attached to container wagons. Terminal operations means that there is almost a ballet of machinery taking place in a port to bring a container from the initial starting point to its destination. This involves a critical step called lashing, which concerns securing containers on top of one another. This work is done directly underneath the container crane. Workers walk under the containers carrying heavy twistlock devices that must be placed in the four corners of each container.”

What have been the biggest challenges so far?

Dr. Daniel Leidner:
“One of the biggest challenges was positioning our solution between the technical problem and the customer value. This required many customer interviews and extensive travel. We visited ports across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, many of them directly on site. Only through these discussions were we able to fully understand what kind of solution is actually needed.”

How does real-world deployment differ from research?

Dr. Daniel Leidner:
“In research environments everything is controlled, including lighting, setups, and the robot itself. In real deployments the system needs to integrate into existing infrastructure and deal with unexpected situations. Port environments are outdoor environments with harsh and unpredictable conditions. This makes both hardware and software development challenging. For example, we deployed our first gripper prototype within 14 days after opening our lab and tested it with a customer. The test failed completely, but that early failure helped us quickly understand that we needed a different design.”

What role does TUM MIRMI play?

Dr. Daniel Leidner:
“The connection with robo.innovate and MIRMI goes back almost to the origins of SEAL Robotics. The first prototype was developed in collaboration with MIRMI labs. Robin Kirschner helped us set up the system in her lab because we needed the space. Majid Khadiv also supervised project studies for our co-founder Marie-Elisabeth Makohl. About a year ago we used this prototype during the robo.innovate hackathon, where students worked on the system. We also received the Best Problem Solution Fit award from the jury.”

Where is SEAL Robotics heading?

Dr. Daniel Leidner:
“In five years SEAL Robotics should be the number one address for port operators. If a port operator is thinking about a solution for a particular operational problem, they should call us.”

Interview: Arda Can Boyraz