Hanil Cement announced on Monday that it has introduced AI-equipped drones for inventory management and equipment inspections at its facilities.
The company reported that its Danyang plant has recently acquired industrial drones, and 10 employees have obtained pilot certifications. Following a trial period, full deployment is scheduled for April.
These state-of-the-art drones feature AI software capable of spatial recognition and 3D mapping. This technology enables safe navigation in confined indoor spaces and precise measurement of warehouse inventory.
Safety enhancement is the primary benefit of drone implementation. By using drones to inspect dusty, cramped equipment interiors, the risk of worker suffocation is significantly reduced. The drones can also assess the thickness and condition of high-altitude pipes, eliminating fall hazards during maintenance.
Cost and time efficiency are additional advantages. The company has reduced expenses previously allocated to external inventory specialists. Moreover, eliminating temporary scaffolding for equipment inspections yields both time and cost savings.
Production management has seen notable improvements. Inventory assessments, previously conducted quarterly, will now occur monthly. The drones’ precision and ability to survey areas inaccessible to human workers contribute to more accurate production oversight.
A spokesperson for Hanil Cement said the drones, initially introduced to enhance worker safety, have also proven effective in improving overall plant operations, adding that Hanil Cement plans to expand its capabilities with features such as thermal imaging and explore broader deployment across multiple facilities.