Hannelore Mayr, member of the management board at CIM, represented us recently at the German Material Flow Congress hosted by the Technical University of Munich. This year’s theme was “future.meets.logistics – What does the future hold?”
The congress brought together companies, academic institutions and industry experts to explore the latest developments, innovations and future strategies in intralogistics. It focused on key issues: How can flexibility, intelligence and sustainability be seamlessly integrated into logistics processes? And which technologies will play a central role in the future? The following topics and insights from the expert lectures and discussions were of particular interest:
One of the key takeaways from the congress was the increasing relevance of artificial intelligence (AI) for the logistics sector. A recent Bitkom study revealed that 17% of companies are already actively using AI, with another 40% planning to implement it in the near future. Figures are particularly high in fields like IT and robotics.
Professor ten Hompel, former director of the Fraunhofer IML, talked in his lecture about the profound transformation that artificial intelligence is set to bring in the coming years. He presented a model outlining five distinct stages of AI development. The current stage is particularly fascinating: AI is beginning to exhibit emergent abilities – skills that are not programmed into the AI model but which develop through learning and adaptation, such as the ability to automatically deliver lectures in multiple different languages.
“f you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”
Ein weiteres spannendes Thema war das Sprachmodell Teuken-7B, das speziell für europäische Sprachen entwickelt wurde und einen Fokus auf Logistik-Anwendungen legt. Laut Experten ist es sogar präziser als bekannte Modelle wie Llama oder Mistral. Auch Simulationen gewinnen an Bedeutung – vor allem in der Robotik. Sie ermöglichen es, Algorithmen risikofrei zu trainieren und zu optimieren, bevor diese in der Praxis eingesetzt werden.
The KION Group pursues a structured automation approach, working with NVIDIA and Accenture to drive transformation in intralogistics:
A particularly fascinating aspect is the use of AI and cameras in collision avoidance. AI can also determine whether a load should be handled by a human or an autonomous forklift.
Rhenus has so far taken a pragmatic approach to automation, allowing a flexible response to customer requirements. A strategic move was the acquisition of Setlog, a provider of supply chain management software. Financing cloud-based solutions continues to pose a significant challenge, however, as not all companies possess the necessary resources.
An interesting concept known as the brownfield approach was presented, focusing on the phased modernization of existing processes while live operations continue uninterrupted. This approach enables efficiency gains without disrupting workflows.
Sensor technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in intralogistics – especially for preventing overproduction and mitigating safety risks. A practical example is the use of small cards with integrated chips that transmit real-time data directly to the ERP system. This allows for more efficient inventory management and return logistics, resulting in significant cost savings.
Modern autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are becoming increasingly intelligent. They adapt dynamically to their surroundings, automatically reducing speed or even stopping when there are people nearby, for instance. This enhances safety in the warehouse while simultaneously improving material flow.
One particularly forward-looking development is the use of AI-powered voice assistants in warehouse logistics. Unlike traditional pick-by-voice systems, these advanced assistants can process more complex instructions with greater precision. At the same time, tests show that scanner systems continue to be highly efficient. A hybrid solution for the future may feature an intelligent combination of voice assistants, scanners and smart glasses.
The Material Flow Congress 2025 highlighted the profound impact of artificial intelligence, automation and digital twin technologies on the logistics industry – and the vast opportunities presented by this evolution. It’s a dynamic time for innovation. The challenge now lies in strategically integrating these technologies and leveraging them effectively to gain a competitive edge.
“Be bold – there has never been a better time to invest in future technologies.”
