Lithuanian digital technology companies Terra IT and Synergy Effect, together with Vilnius University and a team of scientists led by Prof. Tomas Krilavičius, will carry out an ambitious logistics technology project over the next two years, which has been granted as much as EUR 776 thousand in EU funding. Ahead of almost 100 other applicants, the project won support from the Ministry of Transport and Communications' innovation promotion measure “Sandbox”. The project aims to create a unique two-part digital tool that will make it possible to automate more logistics processes than ever before.
The first part of the innovation is an automated data collection and analysis tool that will help optimize logistics processes. The second is an automated solution for monitoring remote logistics systems, which will make it possible to watch warehousing centers, vehicle parking lots and even individual vehicles in real time, with minimal or no human intervention.
Science and business join forces against cargo thieves, who are increasingly active across Europe
This project, which promotes cooperation between science and business, was born out of market analysis and responds to the lack of smart cargo protection tools. “Most current transport monitoring tools require huge human resources and are inefficient; there is not a single modern, fully automated monitoring tool of this kind on the market,” says Tomas Vilmanas, director of Synergy Effect. In addition, cargo theft in Europe has risen significantly over the past year.
According to the business daily Verslo žinios, the average value of property stolen per year in Lithuania rose from EUR 68 thousand to EUR 809 thousand. Most cargo thefts are recorded in Germany and at unguarded parking lots. Thieves are not sleeping: they choose exceptionally valuable loads and use cunning tactics instead of violence. Such statistics and the criminals' growing sophistication push logistics companies to step up as well – making processes more efficient with the latest technologies is more relevant than ever.
5G technology will make it possible to monitor vehicles without difficulty even underground, behind buildings or in other conditions of poor visibility
For the automated monitoring of remote logistics systems developed in the project, a special drone will be used that flies around and observes logistics sites. The aircraft will be controlled remotely, and all data will be transmitted over a fast and reliable 5G connection. This will make it possible to monitor sites far from where the operator is, as well as sites in very difficult geographical conditions. Artificial intelligence tools will also make data processing easier. Since human intervention is minimal, the solution will reduce costs and resource consumption.
A planet-friendly technological solution that will give businesses much greater and faster transport protection and control
The remote monitoring system will provide accurate real-time information about the transport situation and location, thus reducing unnecessary actions. As a result, call-out operation costs and the need for human resources will decrease. It will also have a positive environmental impact, as vehicle operating costs will fall. Implementing the project is a step towards more efficient and sustainable transport in Europe.
At the helm of the project: leading artificial intelligence experts and representatives of academia
One of the project participants is Prof. Tomas Krilavičius, Dean of the Faculty of Informatics at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), an artificial intelligence researcher and Lithuania's representative in NATO information technology structures. Another academic taking part in the project is Assoc. Prof. Dr. Domantas Bručas, a scientist at the Institute of Applied Electrodynamics and Telecommunications of the Faculty of Physics at Vilnius University; he will take care of successfully integrating drones into the project.
Lithuanian digital technology companies Terra IT and Synergy Effect and their software development and artificial intelligence specialists also play an important role in implementing the project. Specialists from these companies will be responsible for the technological implementation of the project and for building the solutions.
The project is funded by the European Union
The project is planned to be implemented over 24 months. The project value is EUR 1,184,011.99. The funding allocated to the project is EUR 776,752.97. The project is partly funded by the Economic Recovery and Resilience Plan “New Generation Lithuania” and by the 2021–2027 EU Funds Investment Programme.
UAB “Terra IT” is an innovative information technology company operating since 2004. Its activities cover the development of business management systems and the provision of information technology services. The company builds business management solutions for various business areas: industry and manufacturing, transport and logistics, the service sector and project-based work. The company invests heavily in developing intelligent solutions to make transport services more efficient.
UAB “Synergy Effect” has been on the market since 2003. The company helps businesses in Lithuania and abroad operate more efficiently using internet technologies and solutions. It has experience with medium, large and very large projects and has built many custom projects of varying complexity for well-known Lithuanian and foreign companies. Since 2019, the company has worked closely with UAB “Terra IT”, developing intelligent solutions to optimize transport services.