Manufacturing logistics and procurement – November 2024

AI in packaging
AI chatbots powered by large language models (LLMs) have exploded in popularity, leading a number of companies to explore LLM-driven robots. However, a study from University of Pennsylvania reveals an automated way to hack into such machines with a 100% success rate. By circumventing safety guardrails, the researchers could for example manipulate self-driving systems into colliding with pedestrians.
According to research (17.63 MB) by BCG, even with the widespread implementation of AI programs across industries, only 26% of companies have developed the necessary set of capabilities to move beyond proofs of concept and generate tangible value.
A survey of global logistics firms and goods manufacturers by CSG has revealed key trends and challenges for international trade. The report highlights geopolitical disruption, complex customs regulations, lack of internal expertise and capacity and the impact of AI as the main challenges they face in their daily trading environment.

Supply chain developments
The State of Supply Chain Sustainability report (5.26 MB) released by MIT and CSCMP, reveals growing investor pressure and challenges with emissions tracking. The report highlights how supply chain sustainability practices have evolved over the past five years, assessing their global implementation and implications for industries, professionals, and the environment.
CEN, CENELEC and ETSI have prepared a recommendation paper (607 kB) exploring the role of standardisation in managing industrial data, essential for industrial production and the lifecycle of goods and services. It emphasises the need for interoperability, security, and effective data management to obtain optimal data usage.
Researchers at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology have aimed to tackle the issue of packaging waste in the courier industry and promote the development of green logistics. They designed an efficient recycling scheme for courier boxes to reduce resource waste and environmental pollution. The study (1.82 MB), entitled ‘Efficiency and Economy of Express Box Recycling Scheme Based on Multi-Model Comparison’ is published in Industrial Engineering and Innovation Management.

Industrial robotics and machine vision for the automation
MIT engineers have developed a method, named Clio, that enables robots to make similarly intuitive, task-relevant decisions. Clio enables a robot to identify the parts of a scene that matter, given the tasks at hand. With Clio, a robot takes in a list of tasks described in natural language and, based on those tasks, it then determines the level of granularity required to interpret its surroundings and “remembers” only the parts of a scene that are relevant.
A study (4.42 MB) by Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja entitled ‘An integrated system of industrial robotics and machine vision for the automation of the assembly and packaging process of industrial hinges’ has been published in Engineering Proceedings.
On 31 October 2024, Roel Spierenburg, held a presentation entitled ‘Development of a Packaging Performance Monitoring Tool’ as part of his master assignment at the University of Twente. Chairman of the assessment committee was prof. Roland ten Klooster who holds the NVC Chair Packaging Design and Management.
 

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