TU Eindhoven

Digital Twin based Warehouse Optimisation

The Dutch population is growing rapidly, accompanied by increasing urbanization, which is driving a higher demand for faster logistics and exposing constraints in the labor market. Innovations in warehouse automation and digitization offer potential to boost efficiency and lessen the reliance on manual labor. At present, warehousing robotics are optimized on a local scale using digital twins (DTs), which simulate the robots and their immediate surroundings. However, these models fall short of capturing the entire process due to its complexity.

In this project, TU/e, Smart Robotics, GXO and Atlas4 will develop a DT model which mimics how an entire warehouse works, and which can be integrated into Warehouse Management Systems. This DT model will be able to orchestrate and optimise operations that include robots and human operators, leading to increased operational efficiency, as well as improved human operator productivity rate.

Subsidy scheme: TKI Dinalog

In the top sectors, businesses, social organizations, knowledge institutions, and governments collaborate closely to foster innovation and knowledge development. The Top Sector Logistics is one of these sectors, where various parties join forces to shape the logistics of the future. Within this top sector, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate, Connekt, and TKI Dinalog work together. TKI Dinalog, the leading independent institute for logistics knowledge development in the Netherlands, plays a key role in this collaboration. As the Top Consortium for Knowledge and Innovation (TKI) for the Top Sector Logistics, TKI Dinalog directs and stimulates joint knowledge development and innovation in the logistics sector, aiming to prepare Dutch logistics for the future.

Under this call, a budget of € 1.700.000,- was available for collaborative projects. The maximum TKI allowance for industrial (R&D) research was up to 50% of eligible costs, with a maximum of € 500.000,- (maximum project size € 1,000,000 for a duration of up to 4 years).

Collaboration with Craeghs

Following the successful submission of a TKI Dinalog grant application for Smart Robotics in 2022, Craeghs informed Smart Robotics of the new funding opportunity. In consultation, a consortium was formed. Despite the complexity of the TKI Dinalog program, the combined efforts of the consortium and Craeghs led to a high-quality application that secured approval, much to the satisfaction of all parties involved.

Interested?

Do you see similarities between your project and this client’s story? Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation on how to apply for a subsidy within the Top Sector Logistics.

010 – 243 06 53 info@craeghs.nl