Small transport robots received more detailed technical requirements
For light automatic goods carriers, i.e. small transport robots, more precise technical requirements have been defined regarding dimensions, masses, lights, reflectors, sound signalling device and brakes. New requirements will come into force on 1 January 2024.
A transport robot is a remotely controlled vehicle equipped with an electric motor and equipped with an automatic driving system. Until now, the technical requirements for transport robots have been stipulated in the Vehicles Act, and now the regulation of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom specifies the requirements that are already in force.
The requirements ensure the suitability of transport robots as vehicles operating in light traffic
"The most significant changes to the draft regulation that was in circulation for comments in the spring are the reduction of the maximum permitted dimensions and weights, because we wanted to ensure the safe movement of transport robots on pavements. In addition, the requirements for the sound signalling device and other voice communication were specified so that the visibility of the transport robots would be sufficient, taking into account the needs of the visually impaired, among other things", tells Traficom’s Senior Specialist Jukka Juhola. "Since it is a new vehicle category and automatic driving is a new thing in transport, the need to update the regulation needs to be actively evaluated," continues Juhola.
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