DigiPharmaLogNet

This is where a planned AI-based routing system from Fraunhofer Austria comes in. The long-term goal is to suggest an optimal route to drivers that not only adapts to the destination, but also to the pharmaceuticals being transported. The boxes will also communicate independently with the racks of the pharmaceutical logistics companies via cloud software.

“We are working on a smart infrastructure based on the reusable box,” explains Schneikart. The start-up BOOXit has already applied for patents for the boxes and the associated robotics.

In addition, sensors will continuously record the position and internal temperature of the boxes and, if necessary, measure moisture or vibrations. The industrial software components required for this are supplied by the Internet-of-Things start-up Compunity. To replace the currently used, but not very eco-friendly dry ice, the Viennese start-up temprify contributed innovative cooling packs and developed BOOXit, the first prototype of a reusable cool box. Lassmann Pharma Logistics and Richter Pharma were available as potential first users and experts to assess the real requirements of a smart transport box for daily use.

In the final stage of development, the system will reduce the shrinkage or expiry of pharmaceuticals, save time and costs and reduce the ecological footprint through shorter distances and less packaging material. Physical and digital assistance systems will not only reduce the burden on the environment, but also on employees.

To put this vision of the future on an economically viable foundation, the IDS at FHWien der WKW has calculated and published initial theoretical business models. These show that the costs for a system conversion of the prototypes developed as part of DigiPharmaLogNet would be amortized within a year.