Autonomous Forwarder Impresses at International Forestry Fair

Luleå University of Technology stole the show at the IUFRO forestry fair with its groundbreaking autonomous forwarder, which has the potential to revolutionize the future of forestry.

The research team from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Luleå University of Technology made a strong impression on the attendees of the internationally renowned IUFRO forestry fair. With the help of an advanced autonomous forwarder, they showcased a new era of forestry that could enhance both productivity and sustainability.

The demonstration of the autonomous forwarder was a highlight of the fair. Along a short route with logs scattered around the machine drove, identified the logs, picked them up and loaded them onto a trailer without any human intervention.

“We wanted to demonstrate the entire process, from identification to loading, and how it occurs completely autonomously,” explained Magnus Karlberg, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Luleå University of Technology.

At the IUFRO fair, one of the largest events in forestry, the researchers attracted considerable attention. Magnus Karlberg emphasized the importance of presenting their innovation at such a prestigious event.

“It is a fantastic opportunity to present our research results and ideas for more sustainable forestry. The fair attracts many stakeholders from various countries, which can accelerate knowledge transfer and commercialization,” says Magnus Karlberg.

The autonomous forwarder represents significant benefits for forestry. By working around the clock without exhausting human operators, productivity can increase substantially. The machine also reduces occupational hazards, as operators are not exposed to high noise levels and vibrations. Additionally, the machine is light and operates precisely, benefiting biodiversity.

“It becomes easier to use fossil-free fuels, which is a big step towards sustainability,” notes Magnus Karlberg.

The functionality of the machine relies on a combination of sensors and advanced systems that navigate, perceive the environment, manage crane movements, and control the entire work process.

“The navigation system uses GPS to follow a pre-planned route, while the perception system identifies and positions logs for pickup and loading. The activity manager ensures that the right decisions are made in real time.”

Visitors to the fair showed great curiosity and interest.

“We received many questions about how the system works and why it is so beneficial. It was very positive, and we hope that our presentation sparked interest and inspiration,” says a satisfied Magnus Karlberg.

The research team sees this technology as a future cornerstone of forestry.

“We will first see semi-autonomous solutions on the market, followed by fully autonomous systems. I envision a future where forestry is transformed not only technologically but also ecologically and socially, with multiple small ground-based and collaborating drones performing the tasks.”