AI-Driven Container Management with n8n + HookPilot
Modern logistics demand automation, precision, and scalability — especially when it comes to container allocation and tracking. At Tech4Biz, we designed an intelligent, low-code solution using n8n and HookPilot, automating container booking, dispatch, tracking, and notifications with smart workflows and spreadsheet-based infrastructure.
Project Goals
- Automate container tracking and allocation workflows
- Integrate APIs for ERP, GPS, and logistics
- Predict delays and optimize routes with AI
Reduce human effort via smart conditional logic and notifications
Automation Highlights
1. Container Booking Request Automation
Trigger (HookPilot): Google Form submission
- HookPilot captures form responses like origin, destination, cargo type, and weight
- Sends data via HTTP to n8n webhook
n8n:
- Validates inputs (e.g., required fields, valid weight)
- Checks a Google Sheet for available containers
- Allocates if available, otherwise rejects with reason
- Calculates ETA (+5 days) and returns a structured response
2. Smart Allocation & Dispatch
n8n:
- Allocates nearest available container (basic matching now, scalable to include Google Maps/OpenRoute APIs)
- Updates status in Google Sheets
- (Optional) Future integration with ERP/WMS
Sample Google Sheet Structure (Container DB)
| Container ID | Type | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| C001 | Standard | Available | Port A |
| C002 | Refrigerated | Available | Port A |
| C003 | Standard | In Use | Port B |
3. Real-Time Container Tracking (Coming Soon)
- IoT/MQTT or GPS webhooks to n8n
- If deviation or delay → trigger AI prediction
- Updates internal dashboards
- Notify stakeholders via Slack or email
4. Automated Status Updates
Trigger: Checkpoints like customs cleared, port arrival, delivery
- Webhooks or ERP events push to n8n
- Lookup customer preferences
- Send via WhatsApp, email, or SMS using HookPilot integrations
5. AI-Powered Delay Prediction
n8n:
- Collects GPS + historical traffic data
- Sends to internal ML API
- Predicts delays due to weather, port congestion, etc.
If delay > threshold:
- Notifies ops team
- Suggests reroutes
Auto-creates escalation threads (Slack, Jira, etc.)
6. Maintenance Automation
n8n:
- Monitors last service dates
- Flags containers exceeding lifecycle or safety thresholds
HookPilot:
- Notifies maintenance vendors via CRM
Assigns and logs service events
AI-Augmentation Opportunities
- Predict optimal container routes
- Forecast delay risks
- Auto-tag risky containers
Analyze GPS anomalies and logs
Why Use n8n + HookPilot Together?
| Task Type | Tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| API orchestration, logic | n8n | Ideal for advanced branching, API calls, and integrations |
| Form triggers, team notifications | HookPilot | Easy to build UI, quick to deploy, great for non-dev teams |
| AI + ML API interaction | n8n | Handles complex JSON + HTTP logic for AI models |
| Escalations, alerts | HookPilot | Simplifies messaging workflows, even without APIs (via Sheets, etc.) |
Flow Overview
[HookPilot: Google Form]
↓
[n8n: Validate Inputs + Check Container Sheet]
↓
[Assign Container or Reject]
↓
[Calculate ETA]
↓
[Respond via Webhook]
Future Enhancements:
[IoT Webhook] ─ [n8n: ETA Predictor + Route Validator]
↓
[AI Delay Model + Escalation Logic]
↓
[HookPilot: Client Notifications + Ops Alert]
Real-World Benefits
- Time Saved: No manual allocation checks
- Error Reduction: Automated validation + status tracking
- Integrations Ready: GSheets, Slack, APIs, GPS, CRM
AI-Ready: Delays, optimization, and risk prediction in the pipeline
Hey
I'm Jassim!
DevOps Engineer at Tech4Biz,
contributing to the development and Built a no-code workflow using HookPilot to automate AI Email creation. When a new content link is added to Google Sheets, ChatGPT summarizes it and generates a polished content which is then sent in real-time via API—saving hours of manual work and ensuring consistent.