“discover LOGISTICS” #25

Industrial AI – Artificial Intelligence on its Way from Hype to Practice

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming part of our everyday lives – and at this point, it is almost impossible to imagine the logistics sector without it. Innovations that, for many years, had just been hypothetical ideas or visions of the future are now on the verge of being put into application in our industry – or have already been in use for some time. Fraunhofer IML is also involved in numerous developments in this area. That is why in this issue, we want to show you how artificial intelligence (including AI applications from Dortmund) is conquering the world of logistics – by contributing to developments in robotics, helping to form new business models and supporting optimization in transportation logistics.

“No one will be able to overlook Dortmund when it comes to AI and blockchain, even outside the fields of logistics and supply chain management.”

Since April 2024, a new institute management team has been setting the course for Fraunhofer IML. In an interview with the “discover LOGISTICS” magazine, Alice Kirchheim, Michael Henke and Uwe Clausen talk about developments in applied logistics research and the future of this field – as well as sharing their thoughts on how logistics and our society as a whole will benefit from widespread use of artificial intelligence.  

The New Institute Management about AI and Logistics

Artificial Intelligence Becomes a Student for Reality

Artificial intelligence (AI) will determine the future of logistics – that much is certain. At the same time, however, we also know that using statistical models and databases in warehouses around the world is not enough. We also need intelligent agents that can help us in the real world – embodied artificial intelligence. Methods for transferring AI from the digital world to reality is one of the last challenges to overcome on our path to the digital continuum. The Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence is leading the way here.

Artificial Intelligence Becomes a Student for Reality

Deus ex machina

A guest commentary by Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Michael ten Hompel, Director of the Lamarr Institute for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence and former Director of Fraunhofer IML as well as initiator of AI24 − The Lamarr Conference.

Deus ex machina - The Logical Conclusions of AI

Open Lab + Open Source

It’s a simple equation, but it will allow Fraunhofer IML to tackle the major problems of our time. Working together is the only way we can drive standardization to guarantee that interfaces are fit for application and based on a common language. Fraunhofer IML’s Open Labs have assembled partners from related fields and areas of application to work together on future-oriented open source solutions.

Open Lab + Open Source = Added Value for Everyone

Six questions to André Remy and Michael Novoselsky

Almost exactly eight years ago, at the 35th Zukunftskongress Logistik event in Dortmund, the Rhenus Group and Fraunhofer IML broke the news: they were going to collaborate in an Enterprise Lab. Since then, they have racked up a number of successes as partners in the Rhenus Enterprise Lab – and in the coming years, they aim to shape the future of logistics together.

Next Stop: The Future

Saying Goodbye to Communication Problems     

In the past, it was considered almost impossible to get automated guided vehicles (AGVs) from different manufacturers to “fall into line” with each other at a plant. They speak different languages by default, after all. Now, however, the VDA 5050 is set to provide a solution. Researchers at Fraunhofer IML are helping to develop and implement this communication standard.

Saying Goodbye to Communication Problems

Like Superpowers, But Better 

With just one click, you can have the latest Harlan Coben thriller, a new pair of shoes or even fresh food delivered overnight, directly to your front door. However, the convenience that has such a huge influence on our daily lives in this modern age still presents many obstacles for the workers that make it happen. We often forget the physically demanding work that this industry is built on. So what we need is a way to reduce the physical and mental stress on logistics personnel (a frequently neglected factor) – something like superpowers, but better.

Like Superpowers, But Better

Packaging Laboratory 2.0

Admittedly, in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization, test laboratories from 1986 do not sound particularly innovative or “mindblowing” – at best, they seem traditional or even outdated. However, the Packaging Laboratory at Fraunhofer IML proves that “old” does not necessarily mean “decrepit,” and that “tried-and-tested” and “cutting-edge” are not mutually exclusive qualities. AI is now also finding its way into the laboratory.

Packaging Laboratory 2.0 – Breaking New Ground

Putting humans and robots to work in a real process

How can people and robots interact safely in the workplace? To answer this question, Fraunhofer IML researchers and their European partners are working on a research project that investigates how humans and robots collaborate in the context of production. It seems that machine learning technology could be a key part of the solution.

A Touch of Dolce Vita

Mobile Network 6GEM

Sometimes, it’s hard to believe: It’s 2024, and yet it feels like our mobile network is still lagging two decades behind – so when people talk about the 6G mobile network, it seems like a pipe dream. But not at Fraunhofer IML. In the “6GEM open – efficient – secure – safe” project, researchers are working to create a future where 6G is the central system in our lives by 2030. 

The Network Of Our Dreams

Breaking Down Barriers to Implement AI

Künstliche Intelligenz (KI) hat in den letzten Jahren enorme Fortschritte gemacht und bietet heute eine Vielzahl von potenziellen Anwendungen in verschiedenen Bereichen, auch in der Logistik. Selbst, wenn es Gründe gibt, warum KI nicht in vollem Umfang zur Anwendung kommt, sind die Hindernisse bei der Umsetzung von Digitalisierungs- und KI-Lösungen geringer als oft befürchtet.

Breaking Down Barriers to Implement AI

Project »ForestGuard«

International trade in raw materials and products plays an essential role in the global deforestation crisis. That is why, as part of the EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains, which came into force at the end of June 2023, the European Union is obliging companies to meet due diligence requirements for reducing global deforestation. With project ForestGuard, Fraunhofer IML is supporting the affected companies in complying with the requirements of the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

Blockchain for Deforestation-free Supply Chains

Hydrogen and the energy transition

Hydrogen is considered to be THE definitive beacon of hope for the energy transition, but not all hydrogen is environmentally friendly. Ensuring that hydrogen is sustainable also poses challenges for industrial users who are considering it as an alternative decarbonization option. Blockchain technology could be the solution, as it can be used to ensure that the hydrogen delivered to users is sustainable and green – thus overcoming a significant hurdle on the road to a greener future.

How green are my molecules?

Fraunhofer flagship project "EMOTION"

The special thing about interpersonal relationships is empathy, i.e. the ability to recognize and respond to the feelings and motives of others. What if cooperation between humans and machines were also characterized by these qualities? If the machine recognizes that the human is stressed and the human in turn knows the state of the machine at all times. Seven Fraunhofer Institutes are researching this synergetic collaboration in the “EMOTION” lighthouse project. 

What Do Humans and Machines Have in Common? That‘s Right, Empathy!

AI Speeds Up Transportation Logistics

In today’s fast-moving world, transportation logistics plays a crucial role in the efficient movement of goods and people. The implementation of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins in this area is set to bring fundamental changes to the way logistics companies and transportation service providers work.

AI Speeds Up Transportation Logistics

Digital Testbed Aircargo

The significant increase in global goods flows demands efficient air cargo operations, incorporating automated and digitalized processes. Since 2021, researchers at Fraunhofer IML have been addressing this challenge through the „Digital Testbed Air Cargo“ project.

Digital Testbed Air Cargo: Next-Level Air Cargo Handling

Low-noise Logistics

The increase in delivery traffic in city centers is pushing urban transport infrastructures to the limits of their capacity – especially during morning rush hours, when delivery drivers and commuters take to the roads at the same time. Straightening out the traffic situation while simultaneously ensuring punctual deliveries in the retail sector is quite a challenge, but Fraunhofer IML is already on the case. Since 2013, IML scientists have worked on a series of research projects that focus on developing solutions for “low-noise logistics” and shifting delivery traffic to off-peak hours or night time. This would make it possible to improve traffic flow during peak times, reduce congestion and bottlenecks and increase quality of life for city dwellers by using battery-powered trucks with lower noise and pollutant emissions.

Avoiding Urban Traffic Jams with Low-noise

Smart Transportation with the "RemRob"

Like so many industrial and commercial establishments, hospitals are bemoaning the shortage of skilled workers. The care sector is particularly affected by this. One solution to ease the burden on nursing staff and make the profession more attractive could lie in reconfiguring logistical processes with robots. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have been used to transport high-volume loads such as food, laundry and dumpsters for several years. However, their sphere of activity is limited to areas where there is no foot traffic. But now, with the introduction of the smart transportation robot “RemRob” from Fraunhofer IML, this is set to change. Like R2-D2 from the popular Star Wars saga, the robot is designed to trundle through hospital corridors autonomously and supply the wards with medical materials.  

A Game-Changer For Hospital Logistics