Opportunity for Platform UCA Members.
Supply chains can be complex and often involve the management of a vast range of activities. Automatizing operations, ensuring the safe and secure transport of goods, and adopting environmentally friendly processes are becoming increasingly important in supply chain management, while new technologies like delivery drones, autonomous ground robots, and connected machinery offer exciting new ways for supply chains to be optimised.
Nevertheless, some sectors still face significant challenges: short shipping times demanded by customers put huge pressure on retailers to solve the last mile problem, getting fresh and perishable goods rapidly into stores remains a key target to maximise shelf life and reduce waste, and consumers are demanding transparency about product sources. Natural disasters and political instability can significantly disrupt the sourcing and transportation of goods, while other regions face challenges because they are remote, lack infrastructure, or are missing important data.
The aim of this kick-start opportunity is to investigate new services, which use space assets to enhance supply chain management.
TOPICS OF RELEVANCE
Supply chains are integral to many different sectors and there is huge potential for a variety of different applications. Some relevant topics are listed below, with examples of potential applications.
- Smart shipping (Development of unmanned ground, airborne or maritime/fluvial cargo delivery in urban and remote areas).
- Green shipping
- Safe shipping
- Humanitarian shipping
The call opens on 15 April 2020 and closes on 27 May 2020.
For more information go to the ESA webpage, or download the leaflet here.
