‘Conception to consumption’
This week, it was announced that next generation technology used to trace livestock is now being implemented in its first facility in Australia. The company, Global Compliance, developed the technology in accordance with the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS), to ensure exporters could trace livestock throughout the supply chain. The animals are fitted with an electronic ear tag so they can be individually identified. These ear tags also interact with 24-hours a day CCTV. Being described as ‘conception to consumption’, the technology promotes a proactive rather than a reactive work culture, enabling producers to follow their stock at all times and see, in real time, if stock is healthy due to the information emitted from the individual ear tag. It helps to control the quality of the livestock from producer to the final customer and improves animal welfare.
The company is now developing the technology to be able to read tags from 10 kilometers, as well recognizing the difference between a cow, bull or steer with machine learning technology. This helps minimize human contact throughout the system and takes the requirements of the ESCAS one-step further, utilizing CCTV footage, high frequency RFID tags and a 24-hour control room. It ultimately creates a fully integrated traceable supply chain.
Read more on the implementation here.
Seeing it a different way
Volkswagen Group is claiming to be the first carmaker to create a virtual reality (VR) platform for its production and logistics functions. Testing of the VR headset, imaging system and accompanying software has already been completed with success. The company plans to gather participants in a VR room, taking video conferencing one-step further by viewing the potential movement of ‘people’ and ‘items’ in a particular space. It allows participants from different sites to come together in the VR platform, to optimize planning and ease daily teamwork. It aims to help quicken the implementation of new workflows and use cases through the interactive VR application as all employees have access to the platform.
Volkswagen Group plans to develop further VR applications for production and logistics facilities at the Audi and SEAT brands. The application is currently on public display at the Digital Conference and Exhibition in Cologne, Germany.
More on the platform can be found here.
Moving it along
On Tuesday, Heinemann introduced the world’s first automated, laser-controlled driverless transport system at Europe’s largest duty free and travel retail operation in Oslo Gardermoen Airport. The company has invested $1.1 million to infuse driverless technology into its operations in order to manage its demanding product supply chain. It has introduced the system at two of its new duty free shops at the airport. Partnered with E&K Automation in Oslo, the two companies developed a new transport system, configuring the forklifts and requirements for steering and navigation. The innovative vehicles, also described as Secured Automated Ground Vehicles, will make journeys at its on-airport warehouse as well as in-shop for product line replenishment.
The innovative system helps meet the demanding logistics requirements at the Oslo airport; Heinemann makes up to nine lorry deliveries a day from its logistics center in Hamburg-Allermöhe. It helps increase productivity and optimizes transport processes. Furthermore, it spares employees of physically demanding work and leaves more time to provide service to customers.
Find out more on the driverless supply chain here.
Have a great weekend!
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