Automating RTGC with PID Control: Utilizing Camera-Based Image Processing and Object Detection

The high traffic in the container yard requires effective management, and one method to address this is through automation. The Rubber Tyred Gantry Crane (RTGC) plays a crucial role in container yards. Automating the RTGC involves determining the container's location and sway angle to provide feedback for the control system. The advancements in computer vision technology offer a unique solution to tackle these challenges. This paper proposes image processing as a means to sense the sway angle and MobileNet SSD to detect the container's location. The proposed method yields accurate measurement results and is integrated with optimized PID-PD for position and sway angle control in RTGC. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated through successful performance in both simulation and experiments conducted on a laboratory -scale RTGC prototype.