Sensing and imaging cargo container contents for safety
More than 60 million containers are handled annually in EU ports and this cargo is forwarded by rail, sea or road. Enhancing the efficiency and security of transport would provide tremendous financial benefits to the numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) involved in the transport sector. Innovative technology developed through the EU-funded project 'Tracking and security system with built-in energy generation for containers' (TRACKBOCS) meets demands to provide location information and protection against tampering. TRACKBOCS boasts low power consumption, helping it to be energy self-sufficient. The latter is accomplished with energy harvesters that extract small amounts of energy from vibration, the Sun and wind, door opening and temperature swings during outdoor storage. The system includes sensors and image capture and processing technology to detect changes in container contents. In addition, it utilises commercial transmitters and cell phone base stations to be independent of fixed-point installations and satellite navigation systems. Scientists have delivered novel tracking and security technology for new or retrofit containers to increase resistance to terrorism, tampering and general damage. By sensing the condition of the container and its contents throughout its journey, the technology should ensure that there are no surprises on arrival.
