Following Vehicle for Steel-Plant Material Transport

The described vehicle is strengthened for the steel-plant application and requires configuration and acceptance before operation.

Described Vehicle Configuration:

UWB anchors and a suitably protected carried tag provide target range and bearing in the assessed operating environment.

A four-wheel/differential-drive chassis is described with payload above 300kg for concrete surfaces, mild slopes and rail crossings, subject to the actual approved configuration.

The controller combines UWB, IMU and wheel-speed information, while drives include current/thermal protection and temperature-related power limiting.

The proposal includes insulated electronics, battery warnings above 55°C and temperature-suitable tires. Confirm actual equipment temperature ratings rather than using site temperature as a product rating.

Ultrasonic/ToF sensing and mechanical bumpers support stopping, with both local and remote emergency controls.

Remote and following modes use a described adjustable 1–15m following separation and parking-wheel lock.

The proposed supply is a replaceable battery selected for the environment and working duration.

Operating Workflow:The operator directs loading and carries the tag while the vehicle follows, parks during handling and resumes between stations. The configured sensors respond to equipment and personnel, with emergency stops for abnormal conditions.

Difference from Infrastructure-Based TransportThe operator-led route does not require magnetic strips, reflectors or QR markers. Changes to plant layout or storage positions do not require rebuilding a fixed following route.

The source case reports the following results:

It reports operation in a 60–80°C site environment, angular tracking within ±5° and availability above 99%. The exact equipment temperature limits and measurement conditions require confirmation.

Reported setup decreased from weeks to the same day, with approximately 80% lower deployment cost than the referenced comparison.

The case reports approximately 90% less manual handling effort and a 30–40% faster line-supply cycle, with quicker urgent transport response.

Reported obstacle response is below 0.3 seconds, with no collisions during its evaluation and approximately 70% fewer heat/heavy-material-related incidents. These are application-specific source claims.