Defence & Security
Logistics
DSTL, DASA
THE LOGISTICS OPTIMISATION SYSTEM
CLIENT
PROJECT PARTNER
REQUIREMENT
Loading and transporting of supplies and equipment is not always done efficiently, which leads to increased cost and wasted resources. Dstl wanted to see if technology could help improve this for the military.
CHALLENGE
To bring new methods and concepts to an ingrained problem and provide a clear improvement over standard approaches, while able to fit into current military systems and practices.
SOLUTION
The Logistics Optimisation System – LOGOS – brings together mathematical optimisation and user-focus visual guidance system to provide a deployable technology for more efficient and effective picking, packing and transporting of material and equipment.
Better picking, packing and routing
Transporting military supplies quickly and efficiently is vital, yet logistical challenges can hinder this goal. In high-stress environments like active operation zones, wasted time, fuel, and money can be detrimental. This is why our team at Decision Lab sought to streamline military logistics at deployed military logistics hubs. We wanted to develop an integrated packing and routing optimisation tool.
We were selected by the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to develop an innovative system for packing and navigating equipment distribution. Our solution will help military logisticians optimise processes and costs while rapidly mobilising crucial materiel where and when it's needed most.
This project to integrate packing and routing optimisation highlights our commitment to improving supply chain logistics by solving complex transportation problems, even in difficult conditions. With improved logistics, organisations can act swiftly and focus on their business. We're proud the Accelerator recognized our potential to enhance deployed logistics hubs through smarter technology.
Integrated packing and routing optimisation
Integrated packing and routing optimisation is especially difficult, with many competing factors, especially when results are needed quickly - as is the case in the real world.
The goal was to integrate packing and routing optimisation and empower military personnel to pack more supplies more compactly and securely. This would reduce the number of pallets and transports required, saving resources like staffing, vehicles, fuel, and funds. Optimised packing could also improve safety. Additionally, the solution had to be conveniently deployable.
Mathematical optimisation meets first-hand visual guidance in LOGOS
We worked on the challenge in partnership with Firtsco – a systems integrator with a key interest in the transport sector. Together we developed the Logistics Optimisation System (LOGOS) to optimise the packing and shipping of items at military logistics hubs. This combines a mathematical optimisation core with a visual assistance system, that guides operators in their work. Our work has shown LOGOS can pack a third more items on a pallet than a human, and significantly reduce the number of transports required.
Getting all the parts to work together in an easy to use tool
We developed LOGOS as a modular system. At its heart is a new optimisation engine – a multi-stage approach that includes: a stores routing algorithm, a pallet packing algorithm, and a transport loading algorithm. This can take into account item size, weight, fragility, required orientation, as well as destinations for multi-drop loads. A key feature is the Visual Assistant, a dynamic floor-projection system that gives contextual instructions to packers, guiding them through their work. The features all combine into the LOGOS application, which provides a user-friendly way of running the system. We trialled the system at Dstl's Logistics Technology showcase in front of major military and government stakeholders – showing the effectiveness of the system, how easy it is to deploy and it simplicity for users.
A solution for the military and also the wider logistical sector
LOGOS has demonstrated clear benefits in tackling military challenges. It was targeted at forward logistics hubs, but can be tailored to a wide range of logistics centres – including air, sea or rail – and civilian logistics as well as military. We are also looking at an augmented-reality based Visual Assistant, which could provide visual guidance from end-to-end.
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We’re a team of innovators who are excited about unique ideas and help companies to create amazing solutions.