Driverless Trucks Driven by " Erie "
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DRIVERLESS vehicles controlled by a system known mnemonically as ERIC -electronic remote and independent controlled-are being demonstrated at the Mechanical Handling Exhibition, which opened at Faris Court, London, on Wednesday. One or more battery-electric 'vehicles may be " driven " by an operative at a central point.
The guidance system relies upon alternating • current of • specified frequency being passed along 'a wire laid on the floor of •a factory or warehouse. For permanent installation, the wire may be embedded in the floor.
Two sensitive coils fixed to the front of the vehicle pick up signals from the magnetic field radiating from the wire, and the system allows the truck to be steered appropriately. Several trolleys may be run over a common route, and ,branch routes may be automatically selected.
When the control current is switched on, the brakes are released, and they ar....t reapplied by another signal. Safely devices stop the truck if there is an obstruction. When the vehicle is on course, the current induced in the pick-up coils is equal, but if the truck wanders the current becomes unbalanced and amplified signals operate . a servo. motor cotipled to the -steering mechanism.
Transistors are incorporated in . the equipment, made •by'E.M.I„ and power consumption is stated to be slight.
NEW SERVICE FOR READY-MIXED CONCRETE
r OMMER 7-4-inners fitted with TS3 oil
• engines. and •.3.1-cu.-yd. agitator drums, driven from gearbox power takeoffs, are to be used . by Hall and Co., Ltd., to transfer ready-mixed concrete from their newly opened plant at Mitcham to construction Sites within a 15-m i le radius.
The plant, which was opened last week by Mr: Harold Watkinson, Minister, of Transport, has been on show to cu statue rs.
Among other equipment displayed was a representative selection of vehicles operated by the organization. ranging from a 15-ton fully enclosed bulk cement tipper based on an Albion eight-wheeled chassis to a 1934 Bedford j--ton truck, which had been specially renovated for the occasion. The majority of the bodywork for the fleet of 1,200 vehicles is manufactured in the company's own workshops at Salfords,
EXTRA DOOR MUST CO nPERATORS of car-hire businesses
• were warned this week that if they
added a front nearside door to Londontype taxis, the vehicles will be liable for 60 per cent.,purchase tax. The National Taxi and Car Hire Association said investigations by Customs and Excise officials had shown that doors were being added to these vehicles, which were exempt from purchase tax when new. No action would be taken if the doors were removed within a month.