Dassault and iHawk pilot autonomous cargo system in Singapore

Autonomous Cargo Pilot Launched in Singapore

French software company Dassault Systèmes and Singapore-based drone startup iHawk Global have launched a pilot for autonomous cargo operations at a 50,000 square meter container yard in Singapore. The companies are testing drones and ground rovers using virtual twin software before field deployment in GPS-denied areas. The system combines drones and ground rovers to improve navigation within container yards, and the pilot supports Singapore's Sea Transport Industry Transformation Map.

Development Efficiency Gains

The companies used Dassault's 3DEXPERIENCE platform for virtual testing, which cut two rounds of physical prototyping and shortened development time. This accelerated timeline positions the system for planned commercial deployment in October 2026.

Digital Twin Technology in Port Operations

The pilot reflects a broader adoption of digital twin technology across port operations globally. In Hamburg, Germany, a mooring monitoring system combines digital twins with sensor data to predict equipment failures. Denmark's Port of Esbjerg built a digital twin to test future operations and daily logistics. At Pusan Newport International Terminal in South Korea, a digital twin scheduling method reduced vessel waiting time near port, cutting carbon emissions by more than 75% compared to actual operating procedures.

Autonomous systems such as iHawk's are designed to operate in hazardous areas where GPS signals are weak or absent. Ports including Italy's Port of Livorno use virtual reality and augmented reality for safety training to reduce worker exposure to storage areas.