Ablaze Development Corporation (ABLAZE) personnel have been developing leading edge technology for the international intermodal transportation and entertainment industries since 1984.

Past projects and products created by Ablaze personnel have combined robotics, artificial intelligence, and vision systems, with computer hardware and software systems for greatly improved efficiency in handling intermodal containers and cargo at ports, intermodal container terminals, depots, manufacturing plants, and warehouses. The following paragraphs provide examples of Ablaze personnel’s wide variety of talents and depth of experience.

AACTS :: Advanced Robotic Container Handling Crane.
Under sponsorship of the US Army Ablaze personnel developed a robotic crane for an advanced cargo handling system for pierside and offshore discharge of containerships. The overall concept, called the Automated All-Weather Cargo Transfer System (AACTS), employed robotic materials handling techniques and a unique method to stabilize the ship/lighter interface. It is projected that the system, when used as a pier side container crane, could operate at close to 100 moves per hour.

GRAIL :: Automated Container Terminal.
Ablaze personnel completed the design and construction of a working scale model of a robotic container handling facility. The system manages and controls the movement of cargo containers throughout a shipping facility- from the time a container arrives at the container yard to the time it is placed onboard ship. The system features traffic management, redundant collision avoidance systems, fail safe design, an expert system for placement of containers in the yard, a unique data management system that uses color graphics to display the entire yard, an efficient network control system and a number of autonomous mobile robots. The robots include a highly reliable end effector, infrared communications, accurate positioning, extensive mobility, speed control, and on-board collision avoidance.

ISB :: Intelligent Spreader Bar.
Ablaze personnel have designed and built a working tenth scale model of a robotic spreader bar. The spreader bar has two major features. First, it is able to be rigidly positioned in any combination of six degrees of freedom (roll, pitch, yaw, x, y, and z), under electronic control. In other words regardless on the orientation of the container with respect to the crane, the spreader bar can be positioned to pick up the container.

Second, the spreader bar has an innovative, yet simple laser-based sensor system that allows a computer to accurately detect the location of a container and develop the commands to position the spreader in 6 degrees of freedom directly over the container. The spreader can even detect, track and position itself over containers that are moving, such as those on the deck of a small ship in high seas. This spreader has been developed for use in transferring cargo at sea from one ship to another, but, can be used in many other shipping applications particularly where automation is desired.

DARTS :: Direct Acquisition Rail-to-Ship Spreader.
In conjunction with LMI, Bromma, DOD DSCLOG, US Navy NSWCCD, US Army MOTSU, Ablaze personnel developed a spreader bar and telepresence system to allow cargo to be transferred directly between intermodal railcars and container ships. The system provides RF video feedback to the train engineer to allow approximate positioning of the flatcars beneath the crane. The spreader is capable of performing side shifting of +/- 18 inches to adjust to the position of the container on the flatcar. In addition the speader is able to pick up two 20 foot containers at one time, even if the spreaders are separated by distances up to 63 inches.

Container Cell Elevator.
Ablaze personnel have invented a patented container cell elevator system that is particularly effective in the open seas. The purpose of the device is to raise the top container in each cell to deck level where the crane can easily access the container. Once the crane removes the container, the in-cell device would retrieve the next container and raise it above deck. The system would also work in reverse; that is, the crane operator could place a container above deck and the in-cell mechanism would stow the container below deck. The cell elevator will increase productivity significantly because it will ease the task of picking and placing containers; and, since the device works in parallel with the crane, eliminates the need for the crane to enter the hatch, a major portion of the crane cycle.

Stereo-Vision for Crane Telerobotics.
Under a US Navy contract, Ablaze personnel demonstrated the practical uses of Stereo-Vision for use in crane and other cargo handling applications. A stereo-vision system to provide feedback to crane operators is expected to greatly improve productivity; improve safety; reduce operator fatigue; reduce the amount of skill and training required to operate a crane; reduce damage to equipment; allow operations to continue in harsh environments, such as might be found during stormy weather and rough seas.

Intelligent Multi-modal Software Systems.
Ablaze personnel enjoy solving complex real-world problems in a straightforward, efficient manner. The key to providing such solutions is often combining traditional engineering techniques with artificial intelligence (AI). Problems with no suitable mathematical solutions can be solved using fuzzy logic, neural nets, heuristics, or rule-based expert systems. Ablaze personnel have designed and developed these intelligent systems for intermodal, marine, break bulk and transload terminals around the world. Such systems include optimizing the loading pattern and blocking of intermodal equipment for outbound consists; intelligent inventory control at container terminals; optimizing cargo loading patterns for container shipments; compatibility verification of hazardous materials; and traffic management optimization at marine ports.

Infrared Beacon Spreader Bar Communications.
Ablaze personnel have designed and installed an infrared digital communications system to transmit data over 200 feet in broad daylight conditions. The transmitter is shock-mounted and located on a spreader bar of a container crane. The receiver is located on the trolley of the crane over 100 feet above the spreader. The system is used to transmit AEI (automated equipment identification) information to an inventory control system.

Wavecam™.
Ablaze personnel have designed and built the Wavecam™, an aerial, mobile robotic camera technology platform for the sports and entertainment markets.

Wi-Fi Vehicle Tracking.
Ablaze instrumented two High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV or Humvee) so that their location and critical operating parameters could be monitored in real time anywhere in the world. A Wi-Fi system was added to each HMMWV and interfaced with a proprietary Asset Tracking GIS (Geographical Information System) such that any web browser in the world, given the proper security access, was able to monitor and track the HMMWV’s via a graphical mapping system. Parameters monitored included location, heading, speed, oil pressure, engine temperature, and fuel level.

Skycam®.
Ablaze personnel have designed and constructed a version of the Emmy Award winning Skycam® system. This system consists of a telerobotic video camera that “flies” through huge sections of 3-D space. Skycam® is a unique computer controlled system that allows a camera or other sensor to be positioned quickly and accurately anywhere within a large volume. The Skycam® has been used extensively in the sports and entertainment industry.

Steadijib.
The Steadicam® is an academy award winning system used in TV and motion pictures to stabilize a camera while it is being carried by person who is walking, running or riding. While the camera glides smoothly with the Steadicam®, it has a very limited vertical range. In a joint development effort with Florida based Lightfoot Pictures, Ablaze personnel developed a system to allow the stabilized camera to easily move from ground level to approximately 10 feet above the ground. In addition, the system allows the camera to reach into narrow spaces such as the window of a parked automobile. It is expected the system will soon be used in a number of film productions.

High-Tech Air Hockey.
Called the “greatest innovation in table sports in 30 years”. Ablaze has designed and built the DMI Sports Goal Flex™ product line of electronic scoring air hockey tables. With Flex Goal™ optical scoring technology, a variety of challenging game variations are possible with air hockey – selectable goal sizes for handicapping, moving goals, doubles play, power plays, solo play and a wide variety of other innovative features.

Autoscoring Steel Tipped Dart Board.
Ablaze personnel have developed an electronic scoring dart board for home use. The system uses a standard dart board and standard steel tipped darts. When a dart hits the board, the electronic system detects the precise location of the dart in the board and generates a score based on the game selection. The system is able to accurately detect the location of any individual dart within a group of darts.