MIT launches AI lab with Mecalux to advance logistics research

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Center for Transportation & Logistics (MIT CTL) has inaugurated a new lab dedicated to exploring high-impact applications of data-driven technologies in the logistics industry. The creation of the lab, named the Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab, has been supported by Mecalux, a company known for its expertise in intralogistics.

The Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab aims to investigate the potential of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise logistics operations and goods transport. This initiative marks the beginning of a research collaboration between MIT CTL and Mecalux, combining academic expertise from MIT and practical insights from Mecalux, which has over 55 years of experience in the field.

Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at MIT CTL, will lead the lab. According to Winkenbach, the ambition is to apply new artificial intelligence and machine learning-based technologies to address the most significant real-world challenges faced by companies and society. “We want to support the application of new AI- and machine learning-based technologies to tackle the most impactful real-world challenges faced by companies and society,” he stated.

The new research facility will focus on several streams of research, which may introduce state-of-the-art approaches to address some of the industry's most complex issues. One of the primary areas of investigation will be the development of methods and tools capable of generating highly accurate near-term predictions at high spatial and temporal resolutions. Such predictive capabilities are essential for enabling same-day or sub-same-day delivery services, which are becoming increasingly crucial to meet the demands of consumers and commercial customers.

Javier Carrillo, CEO of Mecalux, emphasised the importance of integrating autonomous technology into warehouse processes to achieve operational excellence. “AI and machine learning can be crucial in planning and monitoring these resources,” Carrillo noted. The collaboration with MIT CTL will help the entire logistics industry improve, offering better customer service and setting new standards in sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Another research focus within the lab will be the role of new technologies in managing autonomous transport and delivery systems. The researchers will also examine the automation of processes such as picking, sorting, packing, and shipping orders from warehouses or stores. Additionally, the lab will explore hybrid methods combining operations research (OR) and machine learning.

These methods will aim to solve increasingly complex and multi-faceted combinatorial optimisation problems vital for the logistics industry, such as vehicle routing, inventory planning, network design, and transport planning.