Hactl invests in the future with AI, robotics, digitalization

Cargo handler Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Ltd. has made several operational changes in the past year that incorporate technologies such as AI and robotics and embrace digitalization. [caption id="attachment_57142385" align="alignright" width="300"] (Courtesy/Hactl)[/caption] The cargo handler (Hactl) signed an agreement with Aerovision Technology Ltd. (ATL) in December 2023 to install ATL’s intelligent cargo thermal detection system at locations within Hactl’s SuperTerminal 1 facility at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). Using thermal imaging technology, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, data analytics and AI, the system monitors the temperature of cargo in various environments in real time to identify abnormal conditions and alert staff of possible trouble, according to a release from Hactl. The system aims to identify fire hazards, including lithium batteries . “The challenge is, how do you ensure or mitigate that risk is as low as possible?” Hactl Chief Executive Wilson Kwong told Air Cargo Next at the World Cargo Symposium in Hong Kong this month. “What we have done as a trial, as a proof of concept, is to install this AI-enabled thermal detector. “It can detect whether there are unusual heat patterns on the top of a pallet or a container and, if there is, then there could be a risk of potential overheating inside the shipment,” he said. “We can now segregate [these shipments] and avoid them being loaded into an aircraft. This helps with aviation safety.” Robots in the workforce [caption id="attachment_57142386" align="alignright" width="225"] A Hactl security robot patrols SuperTerminal 1 and captures images of any unusual behavior. (Courtesy/Hactl)[/caption] Kwong said Hactl’s use of robots has been “a journey,” from the early days of the pandemic when the cargo handler used robots to disinfect its facilities to now, when robots help provide security . “We have got robots — in fact, 20 robots — which go around the terminal spraying disinfectants to help mitigate the risk of COVID spreading inside or outside,” Kwong said. “Security robots are patrolling our areas, especially in the truck parking area, as both a deterrent as well as [to] help capture any unusual activities.” The security robots have cameras that can record and transmit images to Hactl security. “The fact is, when people know that images are being captured — whether they’re transmitted or not — people behave better,” Kwong said. “It is more of a crime prevention and to enhance our safety and security.” While Hactl still has security personnel patrol its facilities, the robots have proved beneficial amid recruitment challenges. “Increasingly, it is more and more difficult for us to find staff,” Kwong said. “I think this is an area in which the entire air cargo industry, the entire aviation industry, is having challenges.” Hactl is also looking into using robotic automated solutions in other parts of its operations. The cargo handler recently began exploring the use of autonomous tractors, Kwong said. He stressed the importance of collaboration between ground handlers and airports in this endeavor. “We actively welcome that and we will work with [the airport, because], apart from the terminal, which is managed by ourselves, the rest of the apron is actually managed by the airport authority, so we have to work with them on the technologies involved,” Kwong said. “But even within the terminal, we have been using and trialing out autonomous tractors.” And more trials are planned. “The reason why we want to do more trials with any movements involving tractors and mechanical movements [is safety]. One has to be extremely cautious,” he said. Digitalization reduces paper, hassle Hactl is working to streamline processes and reduce paper use through digitalization. “We have all kinds of dashboards,” Kwong said. “Even if I’m sitting here, I have exactly the same dashboard as people see and [as is] integrated into the control center, which is at the terminal.” These dashboards track movement at the terminal, keep records and offer a real-time view of capacity and workflow. [caption id="attachment_57142384" align="alignleft" width="300"] A freight agent uses an automated service kiosk to streamline the collection of import cargo. (Courtesy/Hactl)[/caption] Hactl’s digitalization efforts are not only streamlining processes for the cargo handler but also for the carriers and freight forwarders that rely on the handler. Hactl opened 12 automated service kiosks at SuperTerminal 1 in December 2023 that speed the collection of import cargo. The kiosks consolidate several steps in the process, shortening wait times and reducing the chance of error. After collecting a shipment release form from the carrier, a freight agent scans the form at one of the kiosks, which authenticates the form bearer’s identity and the form’s validity, records details of the shipment’s collection and triggers the release of cargo via Hactl’s cargo management system. “With the new self-service kiosk, what we have actually done is to enable part of the process to be done automatically,” Kwong said. “Typically, we have 1,000 shipments with these form transactions a day. And right now, we just launched not long ago, and I was told that around 80% of transactions are already done through the automatic means now.” Register here for Air Cargo Next ’s free webinar, “The Role of Drones in the Future of Air Cargo,” on Tuesday, March 26, at 11 a.m. ET.

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