Thomas Zernechel, the head of logistics for the Volkswagen Group, has said the company intends to ensure that innovations in the logistics sector are rolled out “rapidly” by the various brands within the group.
He was speaking at the company’s Logistics Innovation Day, attended by about 230 logistics experts from within the group and 130 external companies who presented their respective innovative solutions for the sector.
"Growing digitalisation is lifting logistics possibilities to a new level. At this year's Logistics Innovation Day, we are focusing more strongly on the logistics and IT sector and discussing the latest trends and logistics solutions with external partners,” said Zernechel.
A total of 18 solutions were chosen following a multi-stage selection process.
Amongst the innovations presented were individual transport robots with autonomous navigation functions, lightweight exoskeletons providing a supporting structure for workers (pictured) and methods for object recognition without using transponders and scanners.
Stefanie Hegels, head of logistics control, highlighted that smart glasses for error-free order picking were examples of modern technologies that were already a reality.
“Other developments that are being gradually rolled out at our locations include fully automated transfer to and from warehouses and autonomous transport systems,” said Hegels.
Meanwhile, it emerged this week that BMW is also pushing new technology into the supply chain, with a number of pilot projects involving automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robots and digital communications are moving from test stages into serial production and practical operations.
