Manufacturing logistics and procurement – June 2020
Transport and logistics
A Linnaeus University thesis (1.0 MB) entitled ‘Logistics driven packaging for efficient and sustainable road freight’, is a case study on a company managing worldwide exports.
EASA reports that the EC has decided that the new EU drone rules will not enter into force on 1 July 2020, but on 31 December 2020. With the postponement, the member states now have until the end of this year to fine-tune the introduction of the new rules.
A new report from Euromonitor identifies six themes reshaping consumer goods and services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can download the report after filling in your details.
In a report (in German, 8.2 MB), researchers at Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (in German) examine the advantages and disadvantages of the freight tram. From small hubs at subway stations parcels can be picked up or taken by cargo bike to the front door.
A master thesis for the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD) investigates how pallet top deck stiffness affects the strength of corrugated boxes. The study reveals that the level of pallet top deck stiffness should be addressed during the box design process.
JAMK University of Applied Sciences has published a bachelor thesis (6.5 MB) entitled ‘Sustainable Packaging Logistics – The link between green packaging and sustainability in supply chain’.
Internet of Things (IoT) and online platforms
DHL has released "Next-Generation Wireless in Logistics", a trend report that offers a comprehensive look at the evolution of wireless networks and the future of the Internet of Things (IoT) in logistics. You can download the report after filling in your details.
On 2 June 2020, the European Commission launched a public consultation on the Digital Services Act. A few very large online platforms account for a very large share of the digital economy in the EU. This initiative sets out options for regulating large online platforms acting as gatekeepers and ensure that markets impacted by them remain fair and competitive.
Warehousing
TNO (in Dutch) reports that 24 partners from science, industry, education and the government have officially committed themselves to the living lab Sharehouse. With this collaboration they contribute to an innovative logistics sector. Students, researchers and companies can test and further develop warehouse innovations in the lab.
Slimstock has published a white paper entitled ‘Know your Supplier’, the first step in supply chain collaboration. You can download the white paper after filling in your details (in Dutch).
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics
According to Ecommerce Europe, the European Parliament has made substantial progress in their work on Artificial Intelligence, with discussions around three different reports in the Committee for Legal affairs (JURI): a draft report (176 kB) on intellectual property rights for the development of AI technologies, a draft report (298 kB) on a civil liability regime for AI and a draft report (299 kB) on a framework of ethical aspects of AI, robotics and related technologies
Researchers from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have come up with new tools to let robots better perceive what they are interacting with: the ability to see and classify items, and a softer, delicate touch.
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