IPA from Kardex
A fast charging park for 70 electric trucks in combination with a photovoltaic system, an intuitively working order picking assistant, and a digital information system for safety monitoring in rail transport are nominated for this year's final, which will take place on June 13th in the Kursaal in Bern.
to the transport company Hugelshofer, which operates a fleet of over 250 vehicles both domestically and internationally. The company focuses on innovation and technology. By 2028, 70 battery-electric trucks are expected to be in operation. This will result in annual CO2 savings of 6,200 tons.
Charging station at Hugelshofer
The planned fleet expansion also requires a professional charging infrastructure tailored to specific needs. With nearly six dozen electric trucks, the annual electricity consumption is 9.63 gigawatt-hours. The development of the charging infrastructure has been divided into sub-projects. The new transformer building provides space for three transformers with a total capacity of 4,800 kilovolt-amperes (kVA). Fourteen fast-charging stations, each with a capacity of 360 kilowatts, will allow the electric trucks to be charged in a maximum of 90 minutes.
The centerpiece of the facility is the truck port, which covers the truck parking spaces with the fast-charging stations. The solar power system, comprising the truck port and the roof surfaces of the utility building, covers an area of 7,000 m².
Over 2,300 glass-glass solar modules utilize direct sunlight on the front as well as indirect light on the back to generate electricity. The total output of the photovoltaic system is 1,005 kilowatts peak. Depending on annual mileage, the solar energy generated can ensure the self-sufficient operation of 15 to 20 trucks.
A specially developed load and charging management system automatically coordinates the factors of vehicle charge level, electricity production, electricity demand, and route planning. The resulting charging park for electric trucks is a pioneering example of environmentally friendly and efficient transport solutions.
At Kardex, an "Intuitive Picking Assistant" (IPA) is revolutionizing the work process – whether for order picking, putaway, or other tasks. By projecting key information, this innovative assistance system guides the operator clearly through the work process. The Intuitive Picking Assistant, the company says, not only significantly reduces operator errors but also improves workplace ergonomics and increases process speed by 30 to 50 percent.
All information, including product images, is displayed directly on the surface of the access opening. This projection guides the operator quickly and accurately through the workflow. Additionally, a 3D camera analyzes the employee's hand movements, enabling them to report errors directly or trigger actions such as scanning an item.
The IPA consists of a projector, a 3D camera, and a central processing unit. The processing unit analyzes the movements, controls the camera and projector, and ensures seamless communication with the warehouse management system. The 3D camera detects hand and finger movements, allowing virtual buttons to be displayed and pressed. It also detects when an item is removed from the wrong storage location and provides visual feedback.
Savvy Telematic promises greater safety in rail transport through real-time component monitoring. An intelligent, digital informant called the "Smart Bogie" is mounted directly on the freight wagon's bogie. Using various sensors, it collects meaningful information, enabling real-time monitoring of any irregularities. If necessary, the integrated system derives recommendations for action, allowing defects on the wagon to be rectified and serious accidents such as train derailments to be prevented. A highly topical issue.
Temperature sensors, brake wear sensors and sensors for the early detection of flat spots on the wheel are combined with high-end telematics directly on the bogie.
