Innovators, listen up! The future of logistics awaits your bright ideas
Global e-commerce is booming, but with this surge in cross-border trade comes a host of logistical hurdles—especially as customer expectations for faster, cheaper delivery continue to rise. To stay competitive, supply chain technology needs to keep pace.
New digital logistics solutions are essential to drive greater efficiency, resilience, sustainability, and optimized ways to store and move goods. We see immense untapped potential here, which leads to an exciting opportunity for tech innovators…
DHL’s Warehouse of Innovation considers the “What if?”
Robots, computer vision, drone deliveries…technology is already boosting logistics efficiency, but there’s still room for further growth:
ASSET TRACKING
Every year, 10% - 40% of global supply chain assets are lost through misplacement, theft, or breakage.
What if there was a “one size fits all” tracking solution that could be effectively applied to assets as small as a screwdriver and as big as a forklift?
APPLYING AND READING LABELS
Almost half of manufacturers – and many logistics providers – experience costly downtime due to labeling disruptions.
What if image recognition and scanning technologies could accurately read even poor quality or damaged labels?
COUNTER SIGNAL JAMMING
In 2022, container and trailer thefts accounted for 15% of global cargo theft reports, whilst cargo hijackings represented 16%.
What if there was a tracking solution that could detect a jamming attempt and send alerts before the signal was blocked?
EMPLOYEE TRAINING
On average, it takes 6-8 weeks to train a new warehouse associate and 8 months before they reach full productivity.
What if immersive logistics solutions could quickly equip warehouse workers with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate complicated environments?
FACILITY PATROLLING
The top ten largest distribution centers in the world range between 500,000 sq ft and 4,300,000 sq ft – that’s a lot of ground to be monitored!
What if there were autonomous patrolling solutions with advanced sensors and real-time video analytics to help?
TRUCK DRIVER SAFETY
It’s unfortunately one of the deadliest professions in major economies, with thousands of driver fatalities each year.
What if there was a better way for drivers to track their levels of fatigue and other indicators of safe driving behavior?
TIMELY DELIVERY
About 1 in 20 online orders fail to be delivered on the first attempt – a costly problem for retailers.
What if technology could spot incorrect addresses earlier on to prevent delays?
COURIER SERVICE
On average, 53% of the total cost of shipping involves the last mile, with customers expecting fast, flexible, and free delivery.
What if smart logistics could help couriers deliver a better and speedier service – whilst cutting costs, too?
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
About 30% of the total energy cost of running an average warehouse is just from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
What if there was technology that could control the environment immediately around a product, box or pallet, rather than the entire room?
CIRCULAR SUPPLY CHAINS
Packaging represents more than 40% of the world’s plastic usage, yet 84% of this is not yet recycled.
What if there were solutions that could boost the reuse of materials throughout the supply chain?
MOVING AND STORING
Travel time in a warehouse accounts for 60-70% of total labor costs.
What if there were better automated ways to move and store containers that reduced the need for manual labor?
LOADING AND UNLOADING
Depending on the contents, it takes an average of 1-2 hours to unload a 40-foot container.
What if there were solutions that could support or even outperform a person unloading cargo by hand or with forklifts?
We call these “boxes of opportunities” – specific logistics challenges that await your innovative solutions. You can discover more, at DHL’s Warehouse of Innovation.
Share your smart logistics idea with us!
Be part of the movement to solve some of today’s biggest supply chain challenges. If you’re developing a solution, product, or idea that could revolutionize logistics, we want to connect with you. Let’s work together to build a faster, smarter, and more sustainable future for global trade—one that could also save your business significant time and costs.
