U+, BPA and Busan Port Promote Smart Port Cartoon
Remote control of cranes with 5G and low-latency video transmission
One person can control up to 4 machines, increasing work productivity by 40%


On the 2nd, LG Uplus announced that it will introduce a 5G network to Busan Port in cooperation with the Busan Port Authority (BPA). The introduced network is expected to be utilized in various fields such as unloading equipment and logistics warehouses.

The biggest bottleneck in the logistics flow of a port container terminal is the container storage yard. This is because import containers unloaded by numerous ships entering the dock and export containers going overseas from the country are mixed together.

Ports have introduced a 24-hour terminal operation system (TOS) to handle the large volume of cargo and manage the loading and unloading schedules. However, the cranes that move containers are operated manually, which results in low processing efficiency. In addition, all crane personnel must be on standby at all times because it is not known when they will be assigned to which loading block crane. The introduction of a remote-controlled crane linked to TOS is expected to improve the efficiency of personnel operation and the throughput of logistics.

The government is promoting automation and digitalization of ports by 2030, and the domestic smart port market is also expected to grow from KRW 100 billion in 2017 to KRW 400 billion in 2024. However, compared to advanced overseas ports such as Singapore Port and Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands, the level of automation of logistics equipment such as cranes and yard tractors is assessed to be low.

Already, China's Qingdao Port has implemented remote control of cranes based on 5G and MEC. According to a 2019 survey by Markets and Markets, the global smart port market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 25% and reach USD 5.272 billion (approximately KRW 6 trillion) by 2024. In addition, there is an urgent need to establish a 5G-based safety system due to the constant risk of falling accidents.

◇ 5G remote control crane, one person can control up to 4 cranes

5G is suitable for upgrading existing ports to smart ports. If a wired network for a remote control system is laid, the container terminal operation, which must be operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, must be temporarily suspended, and the operating radius of the crane is limited due to the optical cable. On the other hand, using 5G, a remote control system can be built without separate construction.

LG U+'s 'low-latency video transmission solution' to be used for crane remote control is a technology that LG U+ acquired through equity investment in venture company Quopin last year. It is an essential technology for 5G remote control services that compresses ultra-high-capacity video as much as possible to minimize delay time, and reduces video transmission time by about 84% compared to LTE use.

5G remote control cranes improve port work environments. Until now, workers had to look down from 25 meters in the air and operate them for long periods of time to move containers. One worker could only control one crane, and there were limitations in that containers could only be stacked up to three levels due to the limited visibility of the cockpit. On the other hand, with 5G crane remote control, one operator can control three to four cranes from an office away from the work site.

You can also pre-position containers in an easily movable location when workers are not present. Additionally, productivity can be increased by more than 40% by stacking containers in four or more layers.

In the future, LG Uplus plans to build a 5G network at the Busan Port Shinsendae Terminal and Gwangyang Port for use in remote-controlled cranes, and to expand the application of 5G-based three-way forklifts and unmanned guided vehicles (AGVs) to logistics warehouses. In addition, it plans to expand the smart port base by incorporating solutions such as autonomous yard tractors, AI image analysis, IoT sensors, and drones.

In addition, we plan to foster four new 5G B2B business areas, starting with smart SOCs such as smart ports, smart factories/mobility/cities/industrial complexes. Seo Jae-yong, executive director in charge of LG Uplus’ smart infrastructure business, said, “We will enhance LG Uplus’ unique competitiveness and find new growth engines in the 5G B2B market, which is expected to reach KRW 25 trillion by 2026.”