“After in-depth research and technical review of different LiDAR sensors, SAIC has selected Hesai’s 40-channel LiDAR, Pandar40P, for the Yangshan Port heavy truck project. Pandar40P has multiple advantages such as long ranging capability, high resolution, interference rejection, rich sensing data and high reliability, and it meets the stringent requirements of our project.”

–SAIC Research & Advanced Technology Department

Project Overview

SAIC Motor, China's largest automotive company and a leader in intelligent driving and connected technologies, develops and deploys autonomous heavy trucks to transfer shipping containers from Shanghai’s Yangshan Port, a deep water port for container ships, to Shanghai Lingang Intelligent Connected Vehicle Integrative Testing Demonstration Zone. The project is jointly undertaken by SAIC, SIPG (Shanghai International Port Group) and China Mobile. SAIC Motor selected Hesai’s Pandar40P LiDARs for its autonomous trucks, citing Hesai’s product performance, product reliability, and on-site technical support.

Product Configuration:

Each truck is equipped with a Pandar40P sensor mounted on the truck cab roof, elevated and centered to ensure that the sensor’s wide vertical field of view can be fully utilized. The LiDAR is mounted vertically, and the x-axis direction of the LiDAR is parallel to the forward direction of the truck.

Use Cases and Requirements:

SAIC Motor’s autonomous trucks drive a route from Yangshan Port to Lingang Intelligent Connected Vehicle Integrative Testing Demonstration Zone. Interacting with automated port equipment, driving in platoon formations, and self-parking.

The trucks navigate at medium-to-high speeds, carry heavy loads and operate in environments involving humidity, rain, and fog. SAIC sought LiDAR sensors with long ranging capability, high resolution, interference rejection, and rich sensing data to enable precise obstacle detection, recognition and tracking. The project also requires sensors with high reliability to ensure stability over long-term operation.

Outcome:

With Hesai’s Pandar40P, SAIC Motor’s autonomous heavy trucks detect their surroundings in real-time within 200 meters. The trucks’ algorithms identify and track various obstacles in the terminal port, allowing the trucks to safely navigate routes.

Pandar40P’s precision distance information allows the trucks to position themselves within ±3 cm of the loading platform. Enabling cargo to be loaded onto trucks in one smooth motion, without additional maneuvering typical of manual loading. Resulting in a 10% efficiency improvement in cargo loading.

The precision distance information provided by Pandar40P enables SAIC trucks to platoon with a minimal spacing distance of 10 meters. Doubling the transshipment efficiency of Yangshan Port by reducing drag and improving fuel consumption. Additionally, Pandar40P’s interference rejection feature protects each sensor’s data from interference from the other LiDAR sensors operating in close proximity.

Yangshan Deepwater Port is a critical transport hub for global logistics and the world’s busiest container port. The autonomous heavy truck project, supported by Hesai LiDAR sensors, improves the port's transshipment efficiency and cargo transportation capacity. Hesai is a proud partner with SAIC Motor in the Yangshan Port Continuous Improvement effort and looks forward to continued collaboration.