Dassault Systèmes and deep‑tech startup iHawk Global have deployed autonomous aerial drones and ground rovers at an active 50,000 sq m container yard in Singapore.
The system, based on Dassault Systèmes’ 3DExperience platform, uses virtual twin technology to combine AI‑powered simulation with real‑time digital twins. At the yard, drones and ground rovers operate together to capture live inventory data and provide operators with real‑time asset visibility in a dense, GPS‑denied environment, where stacked steel containers normally disrupt positioning and communications.
To overcome these challenges, iHawk pairs an aerial drone with a ground rover that acts as a precision navigation anchor, delivering sub‑decimetre positioning accuracy. The approach reduces reliance on manual inspections and on‑ground checks while improving inventory visibility and operational efficiency.
Before field deployment, iHawk designed and validated the entire system virtually. Using the 3DExperience platform, the company simulated airflow, mapped GPS signal dead zones and tested more than 50 operational scenarios in the cloud.
The simulation‑led workflow eliminated two full rounds of physical prototyping, saved an estimated SGD 30,000 ($23,420) in hardware costs and cut four months off development time. Mission energy efficiency improved by about 30%, and time spent preparing regulatory safety documentation dropped by roughly half.
“This deployment shows how virtual twin technology can fundamentally change how complex industrial systems are built and operated. As Singapore advances as a leading digital logistics hub, our AI‑powered platform is helping scale engineering knowledge and operational know‑how for deep tech startups and industry partners, enabling faster innovation,” said Sharon Toh, VP of Asia‑Pacific South at Dassault Systèmes.
Commercial deployment is targeted for October 2026, starting with autonomous drones for real‑time cargo data capture and progressing toward integrated ground‑rover coordination and live virtual twin synchronisation.