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Smart monitoring has provided numerous avenues for improvements in the industrial sector including logistics related operations.
Smart monitoring has provided numerous avenues for improvements in the industrial sector including logistics related operations. From automated inventory checks to operational safety compliance, the advantages accrued from such technological developments grant huge benefits not just in productivity gains but also in the safety of workers, stakeholders and the related facilities.
With improvements in technology, smart monitoring can enhance logistics processes by using imaging to allow real time visualization. Simultaneously, the same system can trigger alerts when attention is needed and provides video records as evidence for compliance audit and investigation when necessary.
Conceptualised to deliver greater efficiencies, how can Konica Minolta’s IoT Smart Monitoring system address various operational needs in the realm of logistics management?
Automated systems are typically run within a well-defined set of parameters and are very restricted in the types of tasks they can perform. On the contrary, AI-based video analytics have gone beyond simple logic. They work within dynamic operating environments that require fuzzy decision-making processes.
In logistic related applications, AI-based video analytics can be used to autonomously sort parcels on conveying systems. There are diverse considerations when applying a sorting criterion for parcels to be specially handled. Parcels that are crumpled, stained, torn or wet, for example, would need to be managed differently. An automated system may not be able to determine the conditions of such parcels via a simple video. However, AI-trained video analytics can accurately sort the parcel based on such formidable factors typically not manageable by traditional vision systems.
Logistics management involves, among others, the timely and accurate delivery of goods. This entails proper management of shipments, clarity on goods flow with product condition monitored in every step of the process. This lowers the potential for error. To reduce and eliminate cases of incorrect or damaged deliveries, automated checks on inventories using AI-enabled video analytics help logistic operators to gain full visibility of operations. This allows them to examine and sieve out loopholes or mistakes made.
More than just high-resolution video from cameras, AI-enabled video analytics flag out potential errors in terms of goods quantity, goods type and their conditions. Such errors are costly to all stakeholders and avoiding them is essential in resolving disputes that arise due to erroneous shipments. The use of such advanced video analytics enables operators to make accurate and timely decisions, effectively resolving customer issues with greater efficiency.
The Smart Monitoring’s intelligence is further enhanced when coupled with advanced thermal radiometry video sensors. When thermal imaging is used for video analysis, items that are difficult to detect optically can now be identified with thermal imaging by capturing the surface temperature of objects. Such is useful for the detection of transparent face shields for compliance monitoring purposes. The human head must be detected and located first by video analytics in a video scene. Then, based on the head location, thermal imaging can identify the presence of a face shield depending on the shape and temperature of the human head. This detection technique promises high accuracy because temperature radiation from the face shield and human skin (of the face) is significantly different.
Protecting warehouse facilities from unauthorised entry of drivers are some challenges that logistics operators can overcome with effective control. This can be done by only allowing pre-registered vehicles and drivers to enter into their facilities. With the ability to recognise vehicle license plate numbers, security officers and relevant personnel can receive notifications when anomalies are detected at warehouse areas like loading bays, carparks and other exit and entry points of the facility. This is achieved with a licence plate recognition (LPR) algorithm and using high-resolution monitoring cameras to capture and automatically send notifications on entry of unauthorised vehicles. Plus, cameras with ability to capture visible videos in low light conditions, operators can rest assured that their facilities are continuously monitored.
Our Smart Monitoring solutions are ideal for operational success across the logistical domain. Speak to our experts to understand how our systems are geared to deliver greater efficacies to your business.
Disclaimer: The visuals presented in this article are purely for representation purposes.