Intramotev, a technology company developing autonomous battery-electric freight cars, announced that Watco will begin using its TugVolt system at the company’s Wood River, Illinois, transload terminal starting in January, according to TrainsPRO. Watco will deploy the technology for railcar switching operations as part of its efforts to explore innovative logistics solutions. Intramotev, the first company to commercially deploy autonomous freight railcars, is already using TugVolt units to haul limestone in Michigan, moving over 250,000 tons of material this year. The TugVolt system retrofits existing railcars, allowing them to operate autonomously, remotely, or within traditional train setups, offering greater flexibility, efficiency, and cost savings for freight operations. They write:
Intramotev, the technology company building autonomous battery-electric freight cars, announced on Tuesday that Watco will begin using Intramotev’s TugVolt system, starting at its transload terminal in Wood River, Ill., in January.
“At Watco, we’re always exploring new ways to support our customers,” Aaron Jensen, Watco’s senior vice president of operations solutions and support, said in a statement. “This program with Intramotev reflects our commitment to evaluating innovative technologies that could help us better meet the needs of our shipper customers.” […]
Intramotev is the first company to commercially deploy autonomous freight railcars. The TugVolt technology is currently in revenue service hauling limestone for Carmeuse Americas in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The company has moved over 250,000 tons of material this year and has delivered over 3,500 carloads in production. […]
Intramotev retrofits existing freight cars with its battery-electric TugVolt system, which enables the cars to be operated autonomously, by remote control, or within conventional train consists.
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