Background

United Parcel Service (UPS), one of the world’s largest multinational shipping and receiving companies, faced increasing challenges with theft, unauthorized access, and facility security at its Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport receiving and distribution center. Initially equipped with a limited number of surveillance cameras, the facility personnel struggled to monitor activities effectively. This led to significant gaps in their threat prevention and response capabilities.

Technology Deployment

To address these challenges, facility leadership partnered with MDI AI Detection to upgrade their security system. The primary objective was to test and implement technologies that would reduce theft and unauthorized access. The following solutions were deployed:

1. Expansion of Surveillance Coverage:
   • The number of surveillance cameras was increased from 11 to 26, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all critical areas within the facility.
2. Integration of MDI AI Detection Technology:
   • Advanced AI detection capabilities were integrated into both the new and existing camera systems. This technology specializes in identifying theft, unauthorized access, and the presence of weapons, among other security threats.

Additional Capabilities Introduced During the Proof of Concept

As the Proof of Concept progressed, facility leadership identified additional security concerns and requested enhancements to the AI system. Specifically, the AI was modified to detect and notify personnel if an aircraft door was left open, potentially allowing unauthorized access to the aircraft. The on-premise AI system was successfully modified and deployed within two weeks. This modification resulted in improved response times and reduced security risks associated with unsecured aircraft doors.

Results

The implementation of these enhanced security measures has delivered significant improvements in the facility’s safety and security metrics:

1. Reduction in Theft Incidents:
   • The facility observed a marked decline in theft-related incidents, demonstrating the deterrence and detection effectiveness of the new system.
2. Improved Theft Detection Rate:
   • The detection rate for theft increased significantly, rising from 30% to 60%. This underscores the precision and reliability of the MDI AI Detection technology in identifying and responding to suspicious activities.
3. Enhanced Aircraft Security:
   • The newly introduced AI capability for detecting unsecured aircraft doors has led to a noticeable decrease in potential fines and security breaches.

Conclusion

The partnership with MDI AI Detection has proven to be a transformative investment for UPS. By expanding their surveillance infrastructure and deploying advanced AI detection capabilities, the distribution facility has significantly enhanced its security measures. These improvements have reduced theft, unauthorized access, and aircraft-related security risks, showcasing the value of leveraging cutting-edge technology to address complex security challenges in distribution and warehousing environments.