THE AMAZON KEY: A SERVICE THAT MAKES THE DELIVERY OF PARCELS TO THE CUSTOMER’S HOME POSSIBLE WITHOUT THEIR PRESENCE.
Using a smart lock mounted on the customer’s door and thanks to a camera that records the movements of the delivering person, the service gives customers the confidence that their packages are delivered safely.
EXTERNAL SKIRTINGS – SPECIAL PROTECTIVE FRAMES FOR VENLO WAREHOUSE STAFF IN THE NETHERLANDS.
The GEODIS company, a logistics service provider (3PL), has introduced skeletons that, thanks to a spring system, support the lower back of warehousemen when they perform picking or moving goods around.
THE AUTONOMY FORKLIFT
As part of the ILIAD project, scientists are developing new fleets of autonomous, on-board forklifts. In collaboration with people, these forklifts can work safely and efficiently in the warehouse while executing tasks such as packing, stacking on pallets and transport of goods. The key requirement of the project is the advanced artificial intelligence technology. The project is part of the EU fund ‘Horizon 2020’, which brings together research centres under the leadership of the Swedish University of Örebro. The consortium cooperates with major industrial partners.
YARA BIRKELAND – AN INDEPENDENT ELECTRICAL SHIP FOR GOODS.
In cooperation with Kongsberg, Yara International has constructed a ship that will transport fertilisers between three ports in southern Norway. This is the first autonomous and fully electric cargo ship that can carry as many as 100 cargo containers at a speed of 12 to 15 knots. This method of transport will improve safety on local roads and reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Initially, the ship will be manned by a crew while its remote control is planned for 2019.
THE FLYING WAREHOUSES
Walmart and Amazon have been designing flying magazines for a long time. Walmart, one of the largest retailers in the world, has applied for a floating warehouse patent that will carry out deliveries via drones. They shall deliver products directly from the aircraft to customers’ homes. The machine modelled on the ‘airship’ style will fly at a height of up to 305 meters. It will contain many loading ramps and while operating autonomously or by means of remote control. Amazon created a patent for a similar ship in April 2016.