Hanjin applies AI tech across logistics to boost smart push

Hanjin said Friday that it has recently introduced the "AI Safety Guardian." The advanced safety management system uses artificial intelligence to analyze security camera footage from its terminals in real time, detecting various hazards and preventing accidents.

The AI Safety Guardian detects major risk factors in real time that are highly likely to lead to accidents. These include workers crossing conveyor belts without authorization, vehicles moving in violation of safety rules, illegal parking in pedestrian walkways and workers not wearing safety helmets. When a hazard is detected, the system immediately warns workers on site through warning lights and voice alerts. It also sends a real-time text message to safety management staff so they can take action, lowering the likelihood of accidents.

Hanjin is rolling out the AI Safety Guardian first at small parcel terminals in outlying areas, which can be more vulnerable in terms of safety management. Starting with about 10 terminals in the greater Seoul area in late July, the company has completed installing the system at around 20 outlying terminals nationwide. These include terminals in the Chungcheong region and Gangwon Province.

The system was developed based on the vast trove of CCTV footage data Hanjin has accumulated as a comprehensive logistics company, combined with proprietary video analysis technology developed by Hudatus. By closely analyzing the working environment and types of safety accidents at logistics sites, the technology has been refined to detect hazards in real time tailored to on-site conditions. Its proprietary multistage filtering technology, in particular, dramatically reduces false alarms while accurately identifying genuine hazards.

With the strengthened safety management system, terminals that adopted the technology saw the number of major risky behaviors drop by about 60 percent compared with before its introduction.

Hudatus, which developed the AI technology behind the system, provides smart infrastructure services spanning logistics optimization and automation as well as digital twin-based autonomous transport systems. Building on Hanjin's logistics infrastructure and expertise, the company is expanding its technological reach. It is developing spatial information and logistics AI technology that can be applied directly to real-world logistics operations.

Hanjin is expanding its use of AI across both field logistics operations and customer service. At its Daejeon mega hub terminal, an AI-based load forecasting system tracks in real time the progress of loading and unloading parcels from line-haul vehicles. It predicts when work will finish so the next vehicle can dock on time. This has cut vehicle wait times and loading and unloading times, boosting the terminal's overall operating efficiency.

The company is also using a "volumetric image recognition AI model" that analyzes images of cargo using AI technology to respond efficiently to inquiries from client companies. In addition, it has strengthened the quality and convenience of its customer service through Hanjini, a chatbot powered by generative AI technology.

"We will continue to strengthen the application of advanced technologies such as AI, big data and physical AI across everything from safety management to overall operating processes, leading the way in smart logistics innovation," a Hanjin official said.

Meanwhile, Hanjin has been demonstrating its competitiveness in specialized logistics this year. The company has handled the transport of broadcast relay equipment for a North and Central American international soccer tournament in June, as well as the transport of racehorses from overseas for the 2026 Korea Cup international equestrian competition. The company has also taken charge of the international transport of domestic broadcast relay equipment for the Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan. It manages the entire process, from delivery to the local International Broadcast Center to retrieval in South Korea after the Games conclude.