Smart Intralogistics

Smart Intralogistics is a fundamental pillar in the development of innovative intralogistics solutions, bringing together the leading national technology companies in the sector, supported by specialized consultancies and renowned ENESII (National Strategic Energy and Industrial Ecosystem Entities).

These solutions are distributed across 10 demonstrators in various industrial sectors, aiming to radically transform intralogistics operations through the application of advanced digital technologies. The project, with a total investment of approximately €65 million and involving around 400 direct collaborators, includes the development of 25 innovative solutions (PPS). The foundation of WP9 lies in the concept of the Intelligent Intralogistics Framework, which stands out for its modular and distributed architecture, ensuring the necessary flexibility to adapt to the various characteristics of different demonstrators.

This platform integrates technological layers such as Smart Sensing, IoT and Digital Twin, Simulation and Data Analytics, Planning & Scheduling, Nesting, Layout Optimization, User-centered Technologies, Automation, and Robotics, all working in a coordinated and efficient manner through a ubiquitous 5G network. The demonstrators were strategically selected to cover all stages of production, from the receipt of raw materials to packaging and distribution. Industrial companies from sectors such as paper (The Navigator Company), furniture (Aquinos), ornamental stones (Solancis), logistics (Luís Simões), and retail (Sonae MCH and Worten) were chosen, providing a comprehensive view of the application of the solutions.

Among the technologies adopted are mobile robotics systems, augmented reality, computer vision, and artificial intelligence, each contributing to the optimization and automation of operational processes. This consortium includes prominent technological partners recognized for their ability to develop innovative digital solutions, complemented by consultancy firms and ENESII with extensive experience in the industrial sector. This combination guarantees the development of high-impact and relevant solutions, driving productivity and operational excellence in industrial companies. Thus, we highlight the following use cases from WP9: • Receipt and Quality Control of Raw Material at The Navigator Company:

Implementation of real-time image processing technologies, supported by 5G networks, to monitor the quality of wood during the logistical reception process, providing visibility on quality and contributing to the optimization of production processes.

• Picking and Line Feeding Logistics at Aquinos: Use of smart warehouse technologies, mobile robotics, simulation, and digital twin to optimize the picking process and supply to the assembly line. The operation is managed by a Manufacturing Execution System and a Lean 4.0 platform, ensuring efficient planning, execution, and monitoring.

• Flexible Packaging Logistics at Worten: Demonstration of the capability to use automation and robotics technologies for agile and flexible packaging of finished products, adapting to customer needs and requirements.

• Agile Shipping Logistics at The Navigator Company: Use of real-time Digital Twin technology, planning and optimization algorithms for truck loading, fleet management based on simulation tools, and autonomous forklifts with remote driving via 5G, enabling efficient and safe pallet movement.

• Picking Logistics in Distribution Centers at Sonae MCH: Application of technology for product dispatch using AMRs and simulation algorithms, generating optimized pallet preparation and marshalling plans, avoiding congestion in logistical flows.

• Quality Management in Looms at Têxteis Penedo: This pilot aims to demonstrate how efficient quality control can support the optimization of support intra-logistics processes. It seeks to demonstrate the integration of product and process digital twins to monitor quality in textile production, feeding artificial intelligence algorithms to predict quality issues and adjust settings, reducing non-compliance rates and aiding in logistics process planning.

The integration of these technologies represents the heart of innovation in WP9, with the demonstrators serving as essential testing grounds to validate the proposed solutions. The developed technologies not only increase operational efficiency but also offer great potential for replication and scalability across various industries, positioning the participating companies at the forefront of logistics innovation. WP9 is in an advanced phase, with the completion of research and development (R&I&D) activities expected by the end of 2024. The demonstrations at the various demonstrators are scheduled to take place by the first quarter of 2025, where the developed technological solutions will be validated in real-world environments.