Sacyr has signed a collaboration agreement with tech multinational GMV to develop a prototype for a traffic cone placement autonomous system.
The project is entitled Automatic Cone Machine Safe Signaling System (ACM3s) and is developed by Sacyr Maintenance and involves the design of an autonomous system able to manipulate traffic cones for safer traffic diversion operations. Funded by the CDTI, the project duration is two years.
ACM3s aims to develop a method for proper signaling of road works, position and distance during operations, and the safe placement and removal of traffic cones. This self-operating system, without need of human intervention, incorporates GMV’s solution, uPathWay, which allows moving robots to move autonomously.
An innovative road safety system
This innovative road safety system is an evolution of road signaling trailers, so that a maintenance vehicle towing a trailer that can be automatically detached at the start of the lane diversion. The self-driving tow trailer follows the car (leader-follower technology) and places the traffic cones to channel traffic as per safety protocols and can detect obstacles while respecting traffic restrictions. When the operation is complete, the self-driving tow trailer attaches itself again to the main vehicle.
To safely place and remove traffic cones, the tow trailer is fitted with a robotic arm that places and removes the traffic cones via an AI-powered algorithm system that interprets its own relative position to other elements. This solution enhances road safety practices and simplifies operations by eliminating human intervention in certain processes.
This project is part of Sacyr’s commitment to the health and safety of its professionals. Sacyr applies innovation and new technologies to improve infrastructure conservation and maintenance and guarantee worker and road user safety. ACM3s will improve road safety practices and will detect the presence of vulnerable users.
