Westwell has delivered a second batch of its autonomous electric Q-Trucks to the Port of Felixstowe, strengthening the port’s efforts to upgrade logistics operations with AI-driven, zero-emission technology. The deployment expands the number of cabinless trucks in service at the UK’s busiest container gateway, reinforcing the company’s collaboration with Hutchison Ports.
The Q-Trucks are equipped with 128-line LiDAR, a 360-degree binocular camera system and Westwell’s proprietary sensor-fusion architecture for precise navigation. The company said each unit is capable of completing a fully autonomous battery swap in about five minutes, enabling continuous 24/7 operations. According to Westwell, each Q-Truck can help reduce carbon emissions by roughly 50 tonnes per year when powered by green electricity. “The new machines feature a step forward in LiDAR technology and mark the next phase of using autonomous technology to support our workforce,” said Clemence Cheng, Executive Director of Hutchison Ports and CEO of the Port of Felixstowe.
The deployment utilizes Westwell’s “SMART” framework, which emphasizes solutions that are sustainable, maintainable, adapted, replicable and technical. The trucks operate without a driver cabin and integrate with Westwell’s Fleet Management System for real-time coordination aimed at reducing downtime and improving throughput. The company’s approach also aligns modern AI-enabled systems with the port’s long-standing operational infrastructure.
Westwell said the Felixstowe operation serves as a benchmark as it builds out a European support network. The company is establishing a spare parts hub in the UK, recruiting local engineering talent and planning a regional subsidiary to assist customers across the continent. “Autonomous trucks in European ports are just the beginning,” Westwell Chairman Kenny Tan said, adding that the firm is focused on “stable, long-term growth.” With nearly 1,000 autonomous vehicles deployed globally, the company sees the Felixstowe rollout as evidence that smart port technology can scale in diverse environments.