Project description
Cloud-based solution helps optimise parcel-shipping capacity
Package deliveries are on the rise owing to the booming e-commerce sector. However, a large amount of freight capacity in vehicles such as vans or ships is underutilised. Around 40 % is actually empty space as there is no efficient technology to optimise cargo space. Reducing the empty space by just 10 % could save the logistics industry millions of euros and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The EU-funded BOXBOT project plans to develop the first-of-its-kind cloud-based solution for optimising space usage. The proposed solution will allow the handling of complex packing and loading in a short amount of time, offering a 30 % increase in the cargo fill rate.
Objective
Even though more packages than ever before are today being shipped due the boom in e-commerce, no efficient technology has been developed to optimize cargo space in vehicles such as vans or ships. On average, 40% of the transportation capacity is empty space due to the well-known 3D packing problem in the transportation and logistics industry. Reducing the empty space with just 10% saves millions of euros in the logistics industry and greenhouse gas emissions in the environment. Some optimization space software exists in the market but none is really effective being usually too slow and/or handling only few basic cargo parameters. Thus, end-users opt for manual packing/loading plans often using excel which take a lot of time and underuse space capacity.
At BOXBOT, we have developed a multi-objective meta-heuristic algorithm to do fast calculations in seconds using over 30 cargo parameters of mixed loads, operational rules and loading and discharging sequences. Our cloud-based solution is the first effective 3D cargo space optimization service for logistic industry which is able to handle complex packing and loading challenges in short time offering an increasing freight fill rate up to 30% more in vehicles. In 2017, we were selected as one of the top five startups in a global innovation competition organized by Mercedes-Benz Vans for the Startup adVANce program to co-develop our prototype in vans (€120,000). We address customers in the logistic industry from General Cargo Ship owners to Last Mile Delivery operators. We have built a solid ecosystem of partners and stakeholders for the rapid growth of our unique business (e.g. University of Turku, Mercedes-Benz Vans, Cargotec Ltd, Royal Wagenborg). Our mission is to be the leading logistics solutions provider and make our solutions globally available and widely used. Now we are applying to the SME Instrument Phase 1 to carry out a Feasibility Study.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1Coordinator
20100 TURKU
Finland
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.