MIT Launches New Lab to Explore AI Solutions for Logistics

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL) has commissioned a new research lab to investigate high-impact applications of new data-driven technologies in the logistics industry. The formation of the lab was supported by seed funding from the intralogistics group Mecalux.

Specifically, the Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab at MIT CTL will explore the potential of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the future of logistics operations and goods transportation.

This will be the starting point for a future research collaboration between MIT CTL and Mecalux, combining the academic knowledge of the leading US technology university with the hands-on experience of a multinational company with more than 55 years of history, Mecalux noted. Mecalux intends to provide technical insights and support from its software and automation experts over the next few years.

Mecalux explained that the new lab will examine several research streams that may lead to new state-of-the-art approaches to address some of the industry’s most complex challenges. For instance, the lab will investigate methods and tools that are capable of producing highly accurate near-term predictions at a high spatial and temporal resolution. Such near-term predictive capabilities are critical in enabling same-day or sub-same-day delivery and similar services designed to meet the increasingly challenging needs of both consumers and commercial customers.

This innovation space will be led by Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at MIT CTL. “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,” commented Winkenbach.

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