Westwell is a global leader in scene-based new energy autonomous driving, On June 2, 2023, it has signed an agreement with Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe in Hong Kong China, for an additional 100 battery-powered autonomous Q-Trucks developed by Westwell. At the Port of Felixstowe, both parties will collaborate to build the largest electric autonomous commercial vehicle fleet to date, and build battery-swapping infrastructures and related services to support the operation of the fleet. By doing so, the two parties will further advance the commercial application and value exploration of autonomous driving technology in global container ports.

Since 2018, Westwell has initiated in-depth collaboration with Hutchison Ports to introduce autonomous Q-Trucks to the daily commercial operation of Terminal D in Laem Chabang Port, Thailand, facilitating it to become the first smart port in the world under mixed mode operation between manned and unmanned internal traffic.

Throughout its development, Westwell has always maintained a 'clients first' approach, leveraging its technological advantages in AI and autonomous driving, along with its robust ecosystem within the industry chain, to consistently iterate on its products and services. Through a comprehensive operational solution that encompasses complete vehicles, piloting systems, and V2X infrastructures, Westwell collaborate with Hutchison Ports, has successfully established a global benchmark for efficiency, safety, and sustainability in port operations.

Figure 1: Q-Truck in Port of Felixstowe

As the first international port in Europe to introduce autonomous trucks to mixed traffic container terminal operations, Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe is strategically located on the UKs South East coast and within easy reach of major ports in North West continental Europe. As the UKs first purpose-built container-handling facility, it is also the largest and busiest container port in the country. With three rail terminals, it also has the busiest and biggest intermodal rail freight facility in the UK. The latest phase of development, Berths 8&9, provides additional deep-water capacity for the world’s largest container ships. 

By integrating innovative technologies of "intelligence and new energy", Hutchison Ports aims to build the Port of Felixstowe into a world class smart port that combines efficiency, automation, and sustainability, strengthening its presence in Europe.

Q-Truck, signed in this contract, is Westwell's first globally self-developed intelligent swappable battery-powered unmanned commercial vehicle. It disruptively removes the driver cabin and can be applied to multiple scenarios including sea, land and air ports, factories, etc., promoting clients' operation efficiency and empowering them with sustainable productivity.

In 2022, Q-Truck completed its fourth model upgrade, evolving into a vehicle of 150km cruising range and 75 tons of loading capacity, equipped with a high standard of intelligence, safety, and adaptability, and can be deeply integrated to clients' production scenarios. It has also passed the Conformite Europeenne (CE Certification). According to the agreement, the delivery of the first batch of Q-Trucks will commence in September 2023.

Figure 2：Q-Truck: The cab-less electric autonomous commercial vehicle, powered by Westwell

Adopting a new generation of sensor fusion architecture, Q-Truck is equipped with multiple sensors such as industrial-grade long-range high-precision binocular AI camera, LiDAR, and various other sensors. By applying the state-of-the-art AI algorithms with a full-stack autonomous system, the vehicle demonstrates most advanced perception and capabilities. The Extreme Precision Position (EPP) System installed in the truck can help to achieve centimeter-level accurate vehicle positioning and high-precision control with a steering deviation within 0.5 degree.

With agile sensing, real-time analysis, self decision-making and precise execution, the WellFMS(Fleet Management System), developed by Westwell is able to manage the fleet efficiently, dispatching tasks, reducing idle time, monitoring real-time localization, handling status data of vehicles and goods.

Q-Truck is also fully equipped with PowerOnair, a cloud-connected smart green energy service developed by Westwell. With a "vehicle-battery swapping station-cloud platform" architecture, it offers five core advantages: fast battery swapping, unmanned operation with safety guarantee, good environmental adaptability, highly modular and standardized system, and elevating carbon value through cloud platform. It can assist Q-Truck in achieving autonomous battery swapping throughout the whole process, realizing efficient recharging of the vehicle within 5 minutes, thereby overcoming the dual challenges of manpower and efficiency.

Westwell has effectively addressed the pain points of insufficient range and limited capacity in new energy commercial vehicles. In the case of pure green electricity，it is estimated that the new energy Q-Truck can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 tons per unit per year in actual production scenarios such as Felixstowe Port in the UK.

Figure 3: Q-Truck performs autonomous battery-swapping in 5min under the support of PowerOnair

Clemence Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Felixstowe and Executive Director of Hutchison Ports said:“We are really excited to be working in partnership with Westwell to bring their ground breaking and AI-driven technology to the Port of Felixstowe. Following the positive introduction of autonomous trucks at our terminal in Thailand and after thorough and successful testing in Felixstowe, we are rolling the system out in the U.K. The new trucks will increase the efficiency and operational consistency of our container handling as well as making a significant contribution to "decarbonising" operations at the port.”

Kenny Tan, Founder and Chairman of Westwell, said: "Hutchison Ports is a significant global partner for Westwell. As a world leading company in intelligent mass-logistics, Westwell, with its holistic solution in new energy autonomous driving, can help increase efficiency while reducing costs and delivering sustainable development options. The contract also marks a very important development of Westwell’s AInergy Strategy to utilise AI applications to reduce energy consumption and facilitate decarbonization. In this respect, we will continue to explore opportunities to commercialize new developments with Hutchison Ports to equip global logistics for sustainable development."

Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe

Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe is a member of Hutchison Ports, the port and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited. Hutchison Ports is the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator with a network of port operations in 54 ports spanning 25 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related businesses, including cruise ship terminals, distribution centres, rail services and ship repair facilities.