Open source components
In the development projects of the Silicon Economy, solutions and building blocks for the platform economy of the future are created on the basis of concrete logistics use cases.
Published components
Numerous specialist and platform components have already emerged from the Silicon Economy development projects. These components are published in the GitLab Repository of the Open Logistics Foundation.
AI-based ETA-Service
Authorization Module
Blockchain-based organisation of relevant data in external trade (…)
Collaborative Demand Aligner
Digital Consignment Note/eCMR
Digital Folder
Digitalization of import processes in perishable airfreight logistics
evoBOT Simulation Model
GPS Fuser Lib
Identification service based on natural features
IDS Integration Toolbox
IoT-Broker
libVDA5050++
Light Node Service
ML Toolbox
O3dyn Simulation Model
Port Transfer
Sensing Puck
Simple DGPS
Token Manager
Further developments
In the development projects of the Silicon Economy, further specialist and platform components are currently being created and made available as open source.
OpenDynamics
ODyn-Log-OS
Smart Waggon Inspector
Supply Chain Execution
Yard LENSE
Success Stories
Everything in balance: a robot on two wheels
In the 2000s, the »Segway«, the electrically powered one-person vehicle, was among the trendy fun and fashionable vehicles for young and old. The driving principle of the platform on two wheels is now more up-to-date than ever: researchers from the Silicon Economy have used the »inverse pendulum« to build a platform with an intelligent automatic balancing system in the »OpenDynamics« development project, which is intended to establish a new class of dynamically stable robots.
Researchers put AI-based ETA on the road
The software for an AI-based arrival time forecast, which was developed as part of the Silicon Economy initiative, is now being tested in an implementation project of the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Ruhr-OWL at a freight forwarding company in the Siegerland region – and is becoming even smarter …
Silicon Economy takes off with a »Perishable«-Dashboard
All significant information in a nutshell: the team of the Silicon Economy project entitled »Digitalization of Import Processes in Perishable Air Freight Logistics« developed a standards-compliant solution for import forwarders at airports that significantly simplifies the workflow for handling perishable goods (»Perishables«).
The new charter of logistics
Silicon Economy Logistics Ecosystem
The Silicon Economy is a synonym for an upcoming digital infrastructure or digital ecosystem based on the automated negotiation, scheduling and control of the flow of goods, enabling new, digital business models for logistics (among others). This digital infrastructure enables comprehensive transparency in value added networks and creates trust along complete supply chains, from the supplier of raw materials to the end customer – which is maybe the most important prerequisite for getting all companies to participate.
The Silicon Economy Logistics Ecosystem innovation project aims to develop a complete environment for this new Silicon Economy:
- Developing a Silicon Economy infrastructure and basis modules
- Developing a Silicon Economy infrastructure and basis modules
Numerous so-called development projects with companies make applications visible.
Key research objectives
- Integration and networking of infrastructures, e.g. by using the International Data Spaces components to create secure data spaces together with the cloud infrastructures established in the »GAIA-X« project
- Implementation of open and federal digital infrastructures and platforms
- Real-time networking of things as a technological basis for new services and process models
- Development of new services based on AI algorithms for the automation and autonomation of logistical processes and complete supply chains, e.g. solutions for digitally negotiated contracts (smart contracts); receipts and payment models for booking and invoicing logistics services (transport, handling, storage), platforms and digital environments for autonomous planning and scheduling processes
Project partners
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML
- Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST
- TU Dortmund University with its Chairs for Material Handling and Warehousing, Enterprise Logistics and Industrial Information Management
Project start: May 2020
Project period: 3 years
Volume: 25 million euros
Contact
Management
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael ten Hompel, Managing Director of Fraunhofer IML, michael.ten.hompel@iml.fraunhofer.de
Marketing and Communications
Ellen Sünkeler, Fraunhofer IML, ellen.suenkeler@iml.fraunhofer.de
Blockchain Europe
In logistics and supply chain management many economically independent partners work closely together. Transferring liability and risk, multilateral data exchange and trust issues are only some of the challenges here. As a key technology, blockchain has the potential to make data exchange tamper-proof and to automate and autonomize a large number of processes in the supply chain, e.g. the smart euro-pallet. Instead of consignment notes and lengthy, manual invoicing processes, goods can be invoiced in real-time by means of blockchain. With several hundred million euro-pallets and thousands of logistics service providers in the region, blockchain technology offers real added value.
In the Blockchain Europe innovation project, the European Blockchain Institute in Dortmund, NRW, is being established and a research program is being developed for the institute:
- As an organization, the Blockchain Institute is to develop the technical and scientific foundations, methods and standards for a networked infrastructure in terms of the Silicon Economy.
- The research program addresses central research requirements related to IT architecture (blockchain broker), open source solutions for software, hardware and business models.
Central research questions and results
- Blockchain devices (blockchain-capable cyber-physical system (CPS), multi light nodes for IoT hardware and software)
- Bookable crypto tokens and means of payment, e-Money, CashOnLedger and smart contracts including, for example, appropriate libraries and platforms
- Specific use cases, e.g. for customs duties and hazardous goods
- Development of new business models based on light node devices and tokens, e.g. pay-per-use approaches and identity management
- Quantification of the economic benefit of blockchain solutions
- Definition of standards, interfaces and rules for open cooperation
- Virtualization of all essential processes within value added networks
Project partners
- Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML
- Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST
- TU Dortmund University with its Chairs of Material Handling and Warehousing and Enterprise Logistics
Project start: May 2020
Project period: 3 years
Volume: 7 million euros
»We are facing a new stage in the digitalization of the economy. Technologies like blockchain, the Internet of Things or Artificial Intelligence change the economy fundamentally and open up completely new opportunities for companies.«
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart
Minister of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalization and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Download
Project flyer Blockchain Europe (in german)
Contact
Management
Prof. Dr. Michael Henke, Director of Fraunhofer IML, michael.henke@iml.fraunhofer.de
Marketing and Communications
Britta Scherer, Fraunhofer IML, britta.scherer@iml.fraunhofer.de
Together for the Silicon Economy
To establish a Silicon Economy, the Silicon Economy Logistics Ecosystem and Blockchain Europe research projects are working closely together with numerous initiatives and other projects, coordinating their content and integrating their work.
