During the autumn, PostNord introduced a new system to streamline the loading of transport at its terminals in Härryda in Sweden and Köge in Denmark. The system, which is based on AI, standard surveillance cameras and cloud technology, has been developed by TCS.
When PostNord planned to streamline transport between the company’s terminals and regional hubs, they turned to TCS to develop a completely new system. The problem that PostNord wanted to solve was that there was no uniform system for measuring the degree of filling of trucks and containers that were loaded at the company’s terminals. Previously, the fill rate was based solely on the number of loaded packages based on a theoretical calculation, which meant that the transport group did not have full control.
The solution, which was developed by TCS and PostNord, is a combination of PostNord’s existing surveillance cameras and an AI solution based on, among other things, machine learning. Together, they can calculate how much of the truck is filled with greater precision than the previous system. The new system, which is installed for 18 loading gates at PostNord’s terminal in Härryda and Köge, uses a mathematical model to calculate the loaded volume based on the images from the cameras. This is compiled and visualized in a graphical overview where all ports and their status are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner.
PostNord’s new system is cloud-based and connects the local cameras with the image analysis algorithm and the web application for the visualization of the degree of filling for all loads, which makes it possible to monitor efficiency both locally and remotely. PostNord can now transport goods between its terminals and hubs more efficiently.
Furthermore, PostNord assesses that the system will contribute to reducing kilometers driven by 5–10 percent, which means efficiencies and reduced emissions. A reduction in mileage of just 1 percent would pay for the introduction of the system in three months. After evaluation, the system will be implemented at more of PostNord’s 42 terminals.
During the autumn, the solution was also named the innovation of the year in transport and logistics by the British magazine Parcel and Postal Technology International.
“With our new solution to gain better control over the fill rate for transport, TCS shows that innovation does not have to be complicated,” says Christian Ostergaard, chief visionary and senior group strategist for IT production/IoT/AI at Post Nord. “TCS has combined our existing cameras with a cloud-based image analysis that gives us total control over how much is loaded into each departing truck, which has led to better utilization of our transport capacity right from the start.”
“Cooperating with PostNord is uplifting on many levels,” says Hilda Lilje, Nordic Innovation Manager at TCS. “PostNord has both the will and the courage to think outside the box and they are also incredibly curious to explore the latest technology in order to make their operations more efficient, which the AI project at the terminals in Härryda and Køge is clear proof of.”
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