IntelligentDarkWarehouse - Gilgen is part of this innovation program

Eleven companies from three countries, together in a “Special Interest Group”, have set the goal to develop a state of the art, reference warehouse that can be operated fully autonomous for 48 hours. With this premise, the Association “Network Logistics Switzerland” launched its four years innovation program for an “Intelligent Dark Warehouse” in early February 2021. Gilgen Logistics is part of this innovation program.

The idea to establish this longterm innovation program is based on a question, that might be familiar to many decision makers in warehousing: “what can be done autonomously?”. Despite a high level of automation, logistics in Switzerland isa never-growing business. More than 200’000 employees are directly or in directly involved in logistics, and the figure is still rising. During the current pandemic it became even more apparent, that effective and efficient logistics are extremely important. It is not surprising, that the broad public now adays considers logistics and the people behind as a systemically relevant industry. To further support this crucial industry, it is of great importance to investigate how technology can be used to ease the pressure that workers encounter in their daily tasks and routines.

Selected group of application and science partners

The association„Network Logistics Switzerland” has developed the “Special Interest Group” asanin-novative and ambitious platform to discuss and find practical solutions for such pressing questions. Together with the Association, technology partners such as ABB, Balance Drive, Gilgen Logistics, Miebach Consulting, Rapp Industrial Planners and Westernacher Consulting have recently joined the platform. On the application side, Alloga, Emmiand Ikea are on board, complemented by the science partners Logistikum  Switzerlandand Fachhochschule Oberösterreich, as well as the Technical University Munich. Interdisciplinarity and cross-country knowledge exchange mark the building stones for this cooperation. Extending on previous experiences, a close partnership between industry and science lays the foundation for excellent longterm solution strategies.

With tangible results and solutions in mind, the platform will engage inextending the current knowledge network, deploy state of the art innovation methodologies and conduct large scale feasibility studies. Along the platform’s investigations, our science Partner Logistikum Switzerland will establish a Masters Degree Program in a joint collaboration with the University of Applied Science n Lucerne. As a further prospect, Logistikum Switzerland currently evaluates locations to found a Logistics Test Centre. The Test Centre would be used for in-depth technological feasibility studies and prototyping.

Inspired by a significant potential to contribute to a sustainable economy, the reduction of greenhouse gases through decarbonization and to increase safety and attractiveness of work places, the Association Network Logistics and Logistikum Switzerland expect important impulses for innovation in the age of Industry 4.0.