Background
I started out writing control software for warehouse robots at Vanderlande. Since then I've followed automation out of the warehouse and onto the terminal: building autonomous tractors at Terberg, then bringing them onto the terminals of APM Terminals. What drives me is the moment a pilot stops being a demo and becomes how the terminal actually runs.
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Jan 2026 – now
FleetUpgr8
Automation Consultant
Independent consultant helping terminal operators with autonomous terminal trucks: preliminary studies with ATT FleetView and vendor-independent deployment setup.
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Feb 2021 – Dec 2025
APM Terminals
Product Manager → Technical Manager Automated Prime Movers
Introduced autonomous terminal trucks at APM Terminals: market research, feasibility studies and business cases to bring ATTs onto the terminals.
- Initiated the Mixed Traffic and Waterside pilots, and built the business case and contracting for the first commercial deployment of 30+ autonomous trucks.
- Delivered the EU-funded MAGPIE project, advancing autonomous road trucking in Europe.
- Introduced a systems-engineering approach to the AutoPM programme.
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Oct 2017 – Feb 2021
Terberg Special Vehicles
Integration Manager → Manager Tractor Automation
Developed Terberg's autonomous terminal tractor (AutoTUG), gaining in-depth knowledge of the vehicle and its automation from the inside.
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Jan 2017 – Oct 2017
2getthere
Project leader
Autonomous transport solutions for Bluewaters Island (Dubai) and Masdar City (Abu Dhabi).
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Mar 2012 – Jan 2017
Vanderlande
Senior controls development engineer → Project Manager
Supervisor software for automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), and R&D for Load Forming Logic and the Adapto controller.
Let's talk about your terminal
The easiest way to reach me is on LinkedIn. Send me a message, and let's determine together if your case is a good fit.
Connect on LinkedInOr email tristansmis@fleetupgr8.nl · Barneveld, the Netherlands