Hyundai progresses smart technology solutions

Hyundai Construction Equipment (Hyundai CE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea Telecom (KT) to progress its smart logistics solutions using 5G communication network and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The MOU will enable the two companies to combine their technologies; the autonomous vehicle technology of Hyundai CE, and KT’s ICT (information and communications) technologies, such as 5G and AI, to supply advanced smart logistics solutions to the market.

According to a news release, this technological collaboration will improve the remote management and the level of control of the autonomous forklift, which will also benefit from a remote service system that is operated by an AI voice control solution, video, and augmented reality (AR).

Hyundai CE’s autonomous forklift technology autonomously recognises the environment, and obstacles in the workplace, and is able to navigate through the best routes on its own, increasing productivity.

The risk of accidents in the workplace can be significantly reduced because the work is carried out along a planned path. The interest for this ‘no contact’ technology has significantly increased, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, where social-distancing is key in the workplace.

Kong Ki-young, President of Hyundai CE, said, “A large number of officials from the automobiles and electronics companies attended our recent demonstration of autonomous forklifts held at the Eumseong Global Logistics Center in Chungbuk, and their wishes for introducing the technology demonstrated, have been pouring in. In addition to autonomous forklifts, we will supply the entire logistics solution covering the control system, charging facilities, warehouse management system (WMS), and manufacturing execution system (MES) to lead the market.”

Meanwhile, the Hyundai Heavy Industries Group continues to work with KT to upgrade its smart factory and smart shipyard business through a combination of its robot development technology and shipbuilding technology with KT’s 5G, big data, and AI technologies.