Siemens RCOS User Manual

SIMOCRANE Remote Control
Operation System (RCOS)

New environment for higher productivity

It’s all about safety and productivity

The growth in vessel size creates the need to provide a solution which maintains
the efficiency of cargo handling. Embracing this challenge, Siemens has taken
the next step in automation developing an efficient Remote Control Operation
System (RCOS).

Improving visibility is the key. Using the latest camera zoom technologies
together with an innovative assistance using automatic functions, the remote
operator acts when necessary working from a comfortable and safe environ­ment. The main role of the operator is to initiate the operation and supervise
the automated movements.

siemens.com/cranes

RCOS developed by Siemens can work non-stop, providing a more consistent use
of the crane, increasing its lifetime and reducing damage, thus having a positive
effect on the output.

Optimum Crane Performance

RCOS delivers a complete end-to-end crane control solution from operator login,
carrying out operations, to operator logout. The Remote Control Station can be
situated anywhere on the terminal when associated with a reliable and low
latency network connection.

RCOS assists operators to carry out their work assignments by presentation of all
task-dependent information on a human-machine interface which is tailored to
the cognitive and physical capabilities of a human operator.

With Siemens RCOS, port terminals achieve
productivity comparable to conventional
cabin-controlled cranes. Safe and constant
performance for efficient crane operation.

Siemens Remote Control –
Customizable to suit every type of crane

Customization and productivity

Siemens understands that every
terminal has its own processes and
demands. Therefore, every project
can be tailor-made to suit specific
requirements. By doing this, the RCOS
achieves its full potential.

Smart HD integrated views

Siemens RCOS uses a PROFINET proto­col that enables crane control with low
latency and therefore a high degree of
predictability. The system is supported
by strategically positioned cameras
that automatically track the move­ments of the spreader and customer
specific processes.

The screens are planned according
to human cognitive abilities, so only
relevant and easy to understand
information is displayed. The smart
screens automatically change the view
to follow the process as the operator
performs a movement which allows
the operator’s tasks to be carried out
without distractions.

Safety and comfort

The system significantly improves the
working environment and operator
safety. RCOS certified integrated safety
solutions guarantee safe operations
for people and equipment.

• Camera latency check ensures a
minimum time delay between crane
movements and screen viewing.

• Frame rate detection ensures the
video connection to the crane is
reliable.

• Equipment check ensures the desk is
connected to the selected crane.

More comfortable seats and a more
collaborative work place also contrib­ute to personal health and welfare.

In addition to the daily comfort, there
is an improvement of the operator‘s
mobility during their basic tasks. All
operations become more flexible and
the shift changes become faster. The
crane operator role becomes multi­layered and flexible.

Any-to-any

Siemens Remote Control is based
on the “any-to-any” principle, which
enables the operator to logon to any
connected crane from any connected
desk. This becomes very useful when a
crane is equipped with semi-automatic
functions that enable the crane to
partly operate by itself and calls for
the remote operator only when it
requires manual operation.

The road to automation

Siemens “Pooling” system makes sure
the crane is forwarded to a free desk
when assistance is needed. Within
Pooling it is also possible to redirect
difficult or complicated tasks to re­mote operators that have the required
skill set. In the same sense, simple
tasks can be done by any operator.

RCOS supports terminals towards a
fully automated process. The higher
degree of automatic functions on the
cranes, the fewer stations are required.

Published by Siemens AG

Digital Industries
Motion Control
P.O. Box 31 80
91050 Erlangen, Germany

For the U.S. published by
Siemens Industry Inc.
100 Technology Drive
Alpharetta, GA 30005
United States
RTL-B010011-01-7600

Siemens AG

Motion Control Cranes
[e-mail]

The smart screens automatically change the view to follow the process as the
operator performs a movement which allows the operator’s tasks to be carried
out without distractions.