UID23 | Ruben Presun – Grad Project Presentation
ALF
Degree Project
2023
The global efforts to address climate change and reduce global warming have led to an increased demand for wood as a renewable building material. However, this surge in demand has introduced new challenges that negatively impact the environment. One such challenge is the transportation of timber in forestry, which often results in ground damage and compaction due to the heavy weight of the machinery. These damages have a big impact on the biological diversity and life beneath the forest ground. In response to this problem, this project focuses on preventing ground damage during timber transportation in forestry by revolutionizing the forwarder.
Project information
This project was done in collaboration with SCA, an influential company in the forestry industry, who gave me lot of insights to understand the problem and look at existing methods. With the help of constructors, I developed a new forwarder construction using 3D models for clear discussions.
Result
The projects result became ALF, a remote-controlled forwarder robot designed to minimize ground damage by using hydraulic legs instead of traditional tires. ALF's hydraulic systems and joints enable him to get through uneven terrain while maintaining the load balanced. Automatic balance control is achieved through a tilt sensor that ensures the robot remains level. To specify the ideal placement for each step, ALF scans the ground for moisture levels. This information guides the automated placement of the rear legs, ensuring consistency. Operators can use a virtual reality headset to select camera views from different angles on ALF, providing an enhanced overview during loading and unloading. The VR headset also enables remote operation, even if the operator is not physically present, making it possible for them to operate the robot.
In collaboration with:
UID23 | Ruben Presun – Grad Project Presentation
