Hyundai Construction Equipment, which launched Korea’s first autonomous forklifts, is planning to advance smart logistics using Korea Telecom’s 5G communication network and artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
 
Hyundai CE signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with KT last month regarding the joint development of 5G technology for smart construction equipment and material handling.
 
This MoU will let the two companies combine their technologies, the autonomous vehicle technology of Hyundai and KT’s ICT technologies such as 5G communications and AI, to supply smart logistics to the market.
 
In particular, it is expected that this technological cooperation will enhance the remote governing and control level of autonomous forklifts and realise a remote service system that is operated by AI voice control, video and augmented reality (AR).
 
Hyundai CE’s forklift technology autonomously recognises the environment and obstacles in the workplace and navigates through the optimal routes on its own, thereby increasing productivity thanks to the enhanced circulation speed and efficiently used logistics space.
 
“In addition to autonomous forklifts, we will supply the entire logistics covering the control system, charging facilities, warehouse management system and manufacturing execution system to lead the market,” said Kong Ki-young, president of Hyundai CE.
 
The risk of accidents in the workplace can be significantly reduced because the work is carried out along a planned path. Moreover, recent market prospects have become brighter with untact technology gaining attention because of Covid-19.
 
“This cooperation will be a spring board to advance the material handling using the new technologies, such as 5G and AI, and further we expect innovation in manufacturing and logistics fields to come true,” said Jeon Hong-beom, vice president of KT. “KT will continue to push ahead with digital transformation of Korean industries by use of our ICT capabilities.”
 
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.