Demonstration of Stowaway Prevention Control System Using Quantum LiDAR at Busan Gamcheon Port
SK Telecom has announced its entry into the quantum sensing market. It plans to showcase a differentiated quantum sensing system by combining 13 years of accumulated quantum technology and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.
On the 31st, SKT announced that it had completed a security control demonstration at Busan Port using quantum LiDAR equipped with quantum sensing technology in collaboration with Busan Port Authority.
Quantum sensing is a technology that detects the distance and physical properties of objects by shining a laser on a target and sensing the reflected light. SKT has independently developed and applied SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode) technology, which recognizes light at the single photon level, the smallest unit of light.
The quantum LiDAR developed by SKT can detect objects with low light reflectivity, such as tires on the road or pedestrians wearing black clothes on dark nights, because it can recognize photons at the individual level. It can also analyze the wavelength of light to detect gas leaks, including concentration, type, and hazard level.
In August, through the Korea Automobile Testing & Research Institute (KATRI) weather environment reproduction facility, detection distance was measured in foggy conditions, confirming that the detection distance in foggy environments was up to seven times longer compared to existing products.
In ports, where weather conditions such as rain or fog change significantly, it is necessary to apply LiDAR capable of accurate detection. The two companies successfully operated a control system to prevent unauthorized access and stowaways at the 2nd pier of Gamcheon Port in Busan using quantum LiDAR.
SKT explained that through this demonstration, it also verified stabilization and self-diagnosis technologies that allow the system to operate stably under adverse weather conditions such as strong sunlight and heavy rain, and to automatically recover when problems occur.
SKT’s quantum LiDAR is equipped with a laser module of 1550nm wavelength, which boasts strong output while being eye-safe, compared to the conventional 905nm wavelength, enabling accurate detection of long-distance targets up to 300 meters away, making it suitable for ensuring safety in wide areas such as ports.
Busan Port Authority plans to consider introducing the system to enhance security and safety within Busan Port once a commercial product of the long-distance quantum LiDAR verified through this demonstration is released.
SKT plans to further develop differentiated services by applying its Vision AI technology to identify, classify, and track objects.
According to the Quantum Information Technology White Paper published in 2022, the global quantum sensing market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 37%, reaching a scale of 6.5 trillion KRW by 2030.
Ha Min-yong, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of SKT, said, "Through this demonstration, we were able to prove the differentiated performance of quantum LiDAR," adding, "We will lead the quantum sensing market by leveraging world-class quantum technology and AI capabilities."
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