Fraunhofer IML presents results for “thinking pallet”

In the world of logistics, pallets often stand in the background – inconspicuous, yet indispensable. They not only transport countless goods daily but also have the potential to transform the entire industry. The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML has taken on this challenge.

(Dortmund) The goal of the research project “Pal2Rec” (Pallet to Recognition) was to demonstrate, as part of a feasibility study, that pallets can do more than just carry loads. They can “think along” and provide valuable information about their past tasks, process steps, and movements. Initial project results confirm this vision.

In a time when efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness are paramount in logistics, Pal2Rec sets new standards. Often, there is little information available about one’s own processes, which can lead to inefficient processes and unnecessary costs. By equipping pallets with various sensors, movements, impacts, and tipping actions are comprehensively recorded and contextualized within the logistics framework.

The collected data has been used by researchers to train an Artificial Intelligence (AI) capable of associating complex movement patterns with corresponding activities in everyday logistics (loading pallets, storing, etc.). This creates a kind of activity profile for the pallet. “The data provides valuable insights that help companies identify weaknesses and fully exploit optimization potentials. Another significant advantage can be predictive maintenance, which allows potential damages to be detected early, even before they occur,” explains Julian Brandt, project manager of Pal2Rec and research associate at Fraunhofer IML.

As part of the feasibility study, researchers have intensively investigated which sensors are suitable for this application. The results show that even cost-effective models can meet the requirements, significantly facilitating the implementation of the technology in the industry. This means that companies can benefit not only from the advantages of smart pallets but also from an economically viable framework.

Joint project with partners

The Pal2Rec project is a joint initiative with the Chair of Conveying and Storage Technology (FLW) at TU Dortmund and has been funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) as part of the innovation initiative mFUND with approximately 180,000 euros. The results so far are not only a success but also an incentive for the project partners to seek follow-up funding.

The final event of the research project will take place on February 25, 2025. Interested parties have the opportunity to participate in the presentation of the project results both on-site and online and to discuss directly with industry experts.

Register for the final event here

Photo: © Fraunhofer IML