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2024 Land Transportation Technology Exhibition / Showcasing future growth engines such as underground logistics and autonomous driving

2024/06

Introducing future growth engines such as underground logistics and autonomous driving

Introduction of high value-added convergence logistics delivery and infrastructure innovation technology development projects

The '2024 Land Transportation Technology Exhibition (hereinafter referred to as the 'Technology Exhibition'), where you can meet the leading technologies of the future, was held for three days from the 15th to the 17th of last month at COEX.

It is the largest exhibition in Korea that showcases research achievements in all fields of land transportation, centered on the 12 S.T.A.R. (Strategic Technologies and Advanced Research) programs announced in the 2nd Comprehensive Plan for Land Transportation Science and Technology R&D (2023-2032).

This year, under the theme of 'Innovative Challenge - The Start of Innovation', eight thematic pavilions were organized, including the R&D Plus Pavilion, Smart SOC Pavilion, National Life Safety Pavilion, Mobility Pavilion, Future Aviation Pavilion, Carbon Neutral Pavilion, Industry Development Pavilion, and Technology Certification Pavilion, and core research achievements were exhibited. This gave visitors a chance to experience firsthand how various technologies in the field of transportation and infrastructure, such as urban air traffic (UAM), autonomous driving,

smart buildings, and smart construction, are changing our lives.

In particular, the exhibition introduced the progress of the Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA), which has formed a convergence logistics business unit to develop innovative technologies for high value-added convergence logistics delivery and infrastructure.

The project, which will invest a total of KRW 100.54 billion over seven years from April 2021 to December 2027, will develop urban joint living logistics technology and last-mile smart delivery technology using public infrastructure, and promote standardization and demonstration through the establishment of a logistics digital information integrated management platform and information linkage.

It consists of 7 core technologies and 12 tasks in 2 major areas, including the establishment of life logistics and delivery infrastructure and logistics information platform, and aims to develop and build logistics technologies and systems using advanced technologies such as AI and robots to reduce life logistics delivery costs by 10%, reduce life logistics environmental pollution by 15%, and increase the utilization rate of life logistics IT by more than 20%.

Specific R&D tasks include ▲ Development of technology for building and operating urban joint logistics courier terminals ▲ Development of urban logistics technology utilizing underground space ▲ Development of fresh logistics packaging technology and systems to ensure the safety of temperature-sensitive cargo and reduce household waste ▲ Development of eco-friendly and high-efficiency terminal delivery technology to reduce environmental load ▲ Development of high-density smart courier terminal storage infrastructure and management and operation technology ▲ Development of terminal delivery robots and operation technology ▲ Delivery driver Development of low-profile loading and unloading equipment to reduce labor load ▲ Development of logistics information integration linkage platform and convergence logistics system demonstration and verification interface technology ▲ Development of land freight transportation digital information standard-based transaction, sharing, and management technology ▲ Development of cold chain status information management and real-time monitoring system construction technology ▲ Development of logistics industry resource management and operation technology ▲ Development of new logistics safety management certification system construction technology, etc.

The exhibition introduced horizontal transfer devices for horizontal movement of cargo in logistics spaces in urban rail facilities such as subways, recyclable logistics packaging (RTP) that can be reused repeatedly by replacing disposable courier boxes, a recyclable logistics system (RTS) for monitoring the circulation (collection and cleaning, etc.) of RTP, and a smart trailer that can be followed, which is an eco-friendly and highly efficient means of terminal delivery.

'Smart Cell & Built-in Box', a smart parcel delivery loading box

SmartCube introduced Smart Cell and Built-in Box, which are being developed under the project 'Development of high-density smart courier terminal storage infrastructure and management operation technology'.

Smart Cell is a high-density cell-structured parcel delivery system that optimizes and stacks parcel delivery cargo in high density using variable shelf operation technology.

When a parcel is placed on a shelf, it uses a camera and ToF sensor to measure its volume, and the shelf moves up, down, left and right to adjust to the size of the parcel. It then calculates the empty space on the rack and stores the parcel in the optimal space.

This speeds up shipping and receiving, and because the shelf size is adjusted according to the parcel size, it minimizes excess space and increases the retention rate of the rack.

Smart Cells are capable of high-density storage, so they can be installed in dense residential areas, apartments, subway stations, and other places where space is limited. In addition, SmartCube plans to conduct a demonstration at the MOLIT building within this year.

Customers can install a built-in box, which is a private household storage box for parcel delivery, in their homes. In other words, the built-in box is a storage box that can be embedded next to the front door of the household to receive parcel delivery at home, enabling non-face-to-face move-in and move-out.

The main feature of the built-in box is that it has a refrigerator on top to store perishable goods. When the courier places the package in the built-in box according to the characteristics of the cargo, the customer can receive the package comfortably at home.

SmartCube plans to link the smart cell and built-in box with delivery robots in the future. This will allow the robot to release the package from the smart cell and deliver it to the built-in box in front of the customer's house.

Vehicle-mounted 'Folding Forklift'

Syscon Robotics introduced a vehicle-mounted 'folding forklift' that is being developed under the project 'Development of low-profile loading and unloading equipment that reduces the labor load of delivery drivers'.

It is a loading and unloading equipment that supports loading and unloading cargo by removing the folding forklift whenever necessary by attaching a separate loading rack to the bottom of a cargo vehicle of 5 tons or more, and is being developed to increase accessibility to vulnerable logistics areas and reduce the labor load of delivery drivers.

The folding forklift itself weighs 1 ton and carries a load of 1.2 tons. When loading and unloading cargo, the folded mast extends to 90 degrees, allowing the forks to lift the cargo. The mast can be raised up to 1.8 meters, making it easy to load and unload cargo from the bed of a truck.

The folding forklift's wheels are tracked to allow it to work on uneven surfaces, and it can also swivel in place to reduce the turning radius.

Foldable forklifts are not only popular among delivery drivers, but also among military bases where it is difficult for regular forklift drivers to enter.

Syscon Robotics will equip the forklift with AI assistive technology, including a vision camera to help the forks locate the exact position of the pallet for unskilled operators who have difficulty adjusting the forklift.

4-wheel drive cargo e-bike & smart trailer

ECOBE has introduced a cargo transportation e-bike and a smart trailer that can carry heavy/bulky cargo. It is an eco-friendly, high-efficiency terminal delivery vehicle developed to reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact in urban centers.

Cargo bikes are an eco-friendly transportation method and are attracting attention as an optimized transportation method for short-distance last-mile delivery in areas where delivery vehicles cannot enter the ground. ECOB has developed a cargo e-bike with four wheels, which is more stable than the existing three-wheeled type. The cargo e-bike is powered by a motor only, without a chain, and can be loaded up to 210 kilograms.

The cargo delivery smart trailer can be used as a wheelbarrow in combination with a regular e-bike, scooter, or other towing equipment or a driver. Sensors detect the pressure or pulling force exerted on the trailer and the motor is driven accordingly, i.e., weaker when pulled by hand, stronger when pulled by a bicycle, etc. The trailer can hold up to 40 kilograms. However, the frame that holds the trailer has recently been made separately so that the cargo box can be replaced, allowing for more cargo.

EcoV is developing cargo e-bikes and smart trailers in accordance with the domestic environment so that they can perform well even on slopes, and is actively expanding into overseas markets by participating in overseas exhibitions.

'HMR', a horizontal transfer device for underground logistics transportation

The Railroad Institute introduced 'HMR', a horizontal transfer device for underground logistics, which is being developed under the project 'Development of Urban Logistics Technology Utilizing Underground Space'.

In order to reduce congestion and environmental pollution in urban centers, the railroad is developing underground logistics technology using urban railroad infrastructure. The main technology development contents include ▲ modification and production of cargo-only urban railroad vehicles ▲ development of horizontal/vertical transfer devices and standard containers for cargo transportation ▲ development of a joint logistics operation platform system ▲ establishment of cargo-only urban railroad operation concepts and scenarios ▲ establishment and demonstration of a cargo transportation test bed.

HMR is a horizontal transfer device for underground logistics transportation, which enters the lower part of a dedicated roll container and automatically boards a freight-only train. When the train door opens, the HMR boards and follows the cue code to the designated seat, and the strapping device is automatically activated to prevent the roll container from moving. The freight cars are composed of two cars, each designed to hold 22 roll containers.

Having almost completed the development of underground logistics elements such as freight train modifications and integrated control and operation servers for the HMR, the railroad plans to select and operate an actual subway station as a test bed next year. Through this, it is expected that underground logistics can be realized by loading cargo at the vehicle base, driving to the test bed, and moving out of the station through a vertical transfer device.

Cold chain status information management and real-time monitoring system technology

Inha University introduced technology for cold chain status information management and real-time monitoring system. It aims to build a low-cost, low-end, full-cycle temperature-controlled logistics (TCL) monitoring platform that can provide reliable temperature and status information in real time by utilizing blockchain technology in food and food and bio-pharmaceutical distribution and supply channels.

From 2023, the “best before” date will be replaced by a “use by” date, which refers to the date when food can be safely consumed if storage and distribution conditions are followed.

The expiration date is set at 60-70% of the quality safety limit period, so it can be consumed for a certain period of time after the expiration date, but the consumption date is set at 80-90% of the expiration date, so it is impossible to consume food that does not comply with storage and distribution conditions or has expired.

From January 20, 2026, the U.S. FDA will enforce traceability regulations for certain foods such as cheese, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and fish, and violations of these regulations will result in warnings, corrective actions, lawsuits, and inability to clear imports.

Therefore, reliable monitoring and management of food supply chain status information is necessary to ensure safe food supply, reduce food waste, and strengthen food export competitiveness.

In response, Inha University is developing a cold chain-based TCL-specific data platform technology to securely generate cold chain monitoring data and ensure its authenticity and integrity. It is also developing a cloud-based control system and spatial information-based integrated logistics management platform technology to quickly identify and proactively respond to cold chain logistics situations.

Curly, which is participating in the project, is applying a full-cycle TCL monitoring system to some of its food products. It monitors the temperature and location information of the entire food supply chain from the time the meat ordered by Curly customers leaves the Hwaseong supplier to the time it is delivered to the customer through the Enlogis Seongnam storage warehouse and Curly Pyeongtaek logistics center. In other words, the convex chain-based TCLS monitoring platform can check the status information such as temperature and location by food storage and transportation process.