“discover LOGISTICS” #24

Coverstory:

How AI and social machines will shape the work of the future

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is unstoppable. Intelligent systems are increasingly controlling processes and making decisions that influence everyday life. Although the future technology has already entered our daily lives, we still face great challenges. In order to meet these challenges, Fraunhofer IML has entered the ring with the “Social Networked Industry,” researching and developing AI systems for human-machine interaction. Because one thing is certain: AI is determining the future of logistics.

Artificial intelligence causes a paradigm shift in logistics

Platine mit LKW, Flugzeug, Sinnbild KI — © Adobe Stock, Destina

Interview with Prof. Michael ten Hompel

Prof. ten Hompel, the Social Networked Industry was already the main topic of the 2017 Future Logistics Congress. In the past years, the focus has been increasingly on artificial intelligence and open source. How do these topics belong together?

Interview with Prof. Michael ten Hompel

evoBOT auf dem Münchner Flughafen — © Fraunhofer IML

Interaktion zwischen Mensch und KI — © Fraunhofer IML

Knowledge advantage for logistics

Arbeitswelt von Morgen Hubertus Heil Exoskelette — © Fraunhofer IML

AI – A curse or a blessing for the working world?

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) makes a lot of people nervous. They are afraid that this technology will turn out to be a job killer in the long term. Fraunhofer IML wants to alleviate this fear. Used responsibly, AI can reform the working world to benefit people.

AI – A curse or a blessing for the working world?

Enterprise Labs

The currency of the future

Eight years, 50 implemented projects and 21 prototypes – DB Schenker Enterprise Lab at the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML has an impressive record. As one of the first industrial partners DB Schenker has accelerated cooperation between science and industry. Today the “Enterprise Lab for Logistics and Digitization” stands for a unique framework for exchanging ideas, developing solutions and continuously redefining innovation.

The currency of the future

Intralogistics

AI Box breathes intelligence into robots

For Fraunhofer IML humans are still an essential part of logistics because of their versatile abilities for complex tasks. The researchers are therefore working on new forms of human-technology interaction using artificial intelligence (AI), which can be dynamically adapted to humans to optimally use the strengths of both sides. With “RAI – Remote AI” the Dortmund researchers have come a little closer to this goal.

AI Box breathes intelligence into robots

The dance of the RoboMasters or: The language of movement

It is a true spectacle of nature: Each year around 50 million migratory birds migrate south to spend the winter there. These “moving clouds” – flocks of over a million starlings – are especially impressive. The birds know how to move in formation to reach their destination, without an individual starling knowing what the flock is doing as a whole. It only looks to the left and to the right: If its neighbors change direction, it does the same. This prevents collision. The same is true of the RoboMasters, a fleet of small, autonomous vehicles.

The dance of the RoboMasters or: The language of movement

Smart cameras – the eyes of logistics

It is intelligent, uncomplicated and has awesome eyes. And, best of all: It really exists – the smart camera. In conjunction with the corresponding software for teaching an artificial intelligence, Fraunhofer IML has created a “starter kit” that is as simple as it is ingenious, paving the way for self-sufficient and data protection-compliant image processing in the logistics sector.

Smart cameras – the eyes of logistics

STUART is looking for a vehicle for life

Uneven and undulating floors are a well-known challenge in warehouses. Until now, users have had to make the difficult decision between three-wheeled vehicles that are as maneuverable as possible or four-wheeled ones with more stability. The diamondshaped chassis “Stable Transport in Uneven And Rough Terrains,” or “STUART” for short, developed at Fraunhofer IML solves this conflict and is therefore the perfect partner for vehicles that drive in every warehouse.

STUART is looking for a vehicle for life

The curse of oversized cartons

Imagine that you order a small product online – perhaps a memory card or a handmade piece of jewelry. The excited wait starts, but what finally lands outside your front door is a package that is big enough to hold a small dog and filled with a huge quantity of padding material. Frustrating, isn’t it? This is where CASTN comes into play, the software for carton set optimization.

The curse of oversized cartons

Logsitcs Management

The world of the supply chain continuum

The aim of the Silicon Economy is to completely virtualize the entire value creation and its networked logistical process chains: the entire world in virtual. Does that ring a bell?

The world of the supply chain continuum

Hydrogen and blockchain: The dream team for a sustainable energy supply

From electricity generation to use as a fuel in vehicles – hydrogen offers a wide range of possibilities as an energy carrier. Germany is pursuing the goal of playing a leading role in hydrogen production. This requires international partnerships and supply chains that are transparent and comprehensible. In short: In addition to a hydrogen infrastructure, technologies such as blockchain are also needed to ensure transparency in a reliable and understandable way.

Hydrogen and blockchain: The dream team for a sustainable energy supply

Smart sheet metal procurement with AI

Ensuring material availability at the lowest possible cost is a challenge for manufacturing companies in an increasingly complex and volatile world. Traditional methods are reaching their limits faster and faster. The solution: the AI software “AI-BOSS” developed at Fraunhofer IML.

Smart sheet metal procurement with AI

Mobility and Environment

Doing nothing is not an Option

How sustainable and resilient is your logistics network? Answers to this question often remain vague. The indicators that have to be evaluated simultaneously and converted into reliable statements seem too complex. However, this is precisely what growing global uncertainties require. After all, logistics also has to contribute to overcoming economic upheavals and counteracting the effects of global climate change.

Doing nothing is not an Option

H2: A small molecule on a long journey

Hydrogen is the smallest known molecule of our time, and it is precisely this small molecule that is to be the energy source of the future. Although it sounds very promising, it still presents many challenges – particularly in the area of logistics. This is where the research of Fraunhofer IML comes in. In the “H2LogisticsOnRail” project, our little H2 molecule is sent on a long journey that is not only green but smart as well.

H2: A small molecule on a long journey

Interview with Prof. Dr. Uwe Clausen

“In long-distance transport, hydrogen trucks could stand a chance against electric vehicles.”

Interview

Containerschiff wird beladen — © Adobe Stock, Travel man

Future supply chains are multimodal and digitally organized

Time pressure and competitive pressure are increasing rapidly in logistics. Artificial intelligence (AI) and the intelligent use of digitalization technologies support the industry very efficiently with planning and decision-making tasks. This is demonstrated by numerous research projects in which scientists from Fraunhofer IML are involved.

Future supply chains are multimodal and digitally organized