Final Report Summary - TRACKBOCS (Tracking and security system with built-in energy generation for containers) Executive summary: The main objective of TRACKBOCS project was to develop a self-sufficient tracking and security system to be retrofitted in containers with superior monitoring systems and levels of security. The system should have low-power consumption and sustainable energy harvesting systems that will last (with minimum maintenance) for at least 8 years. The system will be independent of fixed check point installations and satellite navigation systems. Project context and objectives: The project technological objectives were: (1) To design, build and test energy-harvesting units: A vibration generator and target for output power > 5 mW when container is transported by road, > 7 mW by train and > 1 mW board ships. A door-opening generator generating sufficient power for capturing and transmitting one infrared illuminated video graphics array (VGA) resolution photo. A thermoelectric generator achieving 1 mW average power from the temperature swings in outdoor storage. (2) To design and build a system of sensors, imaging and image processing: The objectives are to detect changes in contents of the container. (3) To design and build a transceiver unit with frequency-modulation radio data system (FM RDS), digital video broadcasting terrestrial (DVB-T), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) with antennas: The overall goal is low power positioning when available and adequate by alternating between and combining DVB-T, FM RDS and GSM and using GNSS positioning only when needed. (4) To devise and develop positioning algorithm to calculate the position of unknown GSM base stations combined with DVB-T transmitters and FM RDS commercial transmitters. The system integration objectives were: (1) Achieve a battery life of > 8 years with nominal reporting intervals for position and container status and a nominal sensor configuration. 8 years is the typical life time of a container before it is recycled or e.g. used for storage. (2) Achieve better than 200 m accuracy near important nodes such as terminals and 3 km in rural areas low power positioning and SOA GNSS position accuracy when needed. (3) A total manufacturing cost of < EUR 600 EC requirement. Project results: Description of work performed and main results During first year of the project thermoelectric generators, vibration generator of pendulum type, wind generator resonance generator and solar cells were investigated, developed and tested inside containers. As a result of these tests thermal generator and pendulum were discarded either because of very low power generation or high price. During the second year of the project we have proceeded with vibration generator, solar cell, wind generator and door-opening generator to power the navigation board and camera sensors board. The TRACKBOCS final system consists of two units the main unit and camera sensors unit. The main unit carries the navigation board and is powered by vibration, solar and wind harvesters. Whereas a camera sensor unit carries image sensor, door opening sensor and movement detection sensor and is powered by door generator. The door unit consist of a door energy harvester and the camera sensors board. Current door energy harvester is a second prototype. The power output results of the first prototype validated in real environment satisfied the energy-consumption requirements. In the second prototype several optimisations and improvements have been carried out. Cable travel distance was increased, as well as the gear ratio. It has been fit-tested by installing it into a container where it behaved as expected. For the door unit sensor board, the correct operation of the board is tested, tests were performed to measure the duration of described processes and the power consumption required for completing a normal communication session with the navigation unit. The setup used is similar to the setup for the navigation board tests and is presented in the table below. The manufacturing cost of the entire system including the electro mechanical parts of housing and packaging is below EUR 600 in large-scale productions and meets the integration objective set for this purpose. Potential impact: Approximately 90 % of the world's cargo moves in containers and there are 15 million shipping-containers in circulation which provide for approximately 250 million moves per year. More than 60 million containers are handled in the main European Union (EU) ports alone. These containers are forwarded by rail, sea or road transport. The transport sector provides more than 10 million jobs and generates 10 % of EU wealth measured by gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to about EUR one trillion a year. Huge savings can be made for the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the transport sector by securing delivery time and place, improving the capacity utilisation of containers, and reducing theft. A project focusing on electronic container security demonstrated savings of USD 378 to USD 462 per container per shipment due to improved monitoring of container movement and tampering attempts. It can be expected that the total market for a system as TRACKBOCS is initially about 1.44 million container units. Furthermore, this analysis assumes that this expanding market place will grow 10 % yearly the first 5 years. Here is a modest growth in sales expected where the most focus will be on Europe in the start. TRACKBOCS will be faced with strong market forces as it will be competing in a segment in the transportation industry with a tense rivalry. It is difficult to sustain competitive advantage through innovation, as there are many solutions available where price, quality, and functions are important. However, TRACKBOCS will combine many interesting functions associated with a very long durability. In addition, a successful project will increase the partner's competitiveness beyond their sole opportunity to offer the market a particular niece in part of the market that has not been fully explored. Mr Rolf Eckhoff - Project Coordinator Xepto AS Martin Linges vei 25, 1367 N-Snarøya, Norway Tel: +47-228-38000 Email: rolf.eckhoff@xepto.com List of websites: http://www.trackbocs.com/ Related documents Final Report - TRACKBOCS (Tracking and security system with built-in energy generation for containers)
