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NAERINGSPH-Nærings-phd

Industrial Internet of Things based Smart Warehouse Management System

Alternative title: Industriell IoT-basert smart lagerstyringssystem

Awarded: NOK 1.1 mill.

Project Number:

324075

Application Type:

Project Period:

2021 - 2024

Funding received from:

Industrial Internet of Things based Smart Warehouse Management System The aim of this project is to develop a smart warehouse management system to be utilized by Equinor's new floating production vessel Johan Castberg. The idea is that such a system will streamline and modernize Equinor's warehouse functions. In order to be able to realize the development of such a system, several of the innovative technologies included in Industry 4.0 will be focused on. Industry 4.0 is the fourth and ongoing industrial revolution characterized by an automation of various processes in industry. Of the innovative technologies that will be primarily focused on is the Internet of Things (IoT), which is a network of physical objects - hence the word "things" - equipped with sensors and software intended to connect them over the Internet for information retrieval. In European context, Industry 5.0 has now also been identified, where the concept of a digital industry with people at the center and increased focus on sustainability and circular economy is introduced. Elements from Industry 5.0 will also be significantly relevant for this project and will be considered during the work. The project will be realized through several steps: a literature study that will lay a solid theoretical basis for the research; data and information collection; testing of the proposed system; and implementation of the system. In addition, the research fellow will complete relevant subjects at the degree-conferring university and publish scientific articles that will contribute to the academic quality of the research.

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Warehouse Management is a vital logistics function which has significant influence on a company's efficiency, profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability. However, despite the continuous development, radical innovation in managing warehouse has not been possible until recent technological advancement found place in Industry 4.0. The project aims to develop a Smart Warehouse Management System for Equinor Johan Castberg by utilizing of and benefiting from technological convergency of Industry 4.0 technologies – i.e., industrial internet of things (IIoTs), smart sensors, autonomous robots, and intelligent algorithms – for increasing connectivity and smartness in managing warehouses. This tailored smart warehouse management system is expected to contribute to significant inventory reduction and increased operational efficiency and therefore profitability and sustainability for Equinor. Such system doesn't exist in offshore sector at present time and therefore the development and verification at Equinor may have profound impact on how offshore industry and its related business conducting warehouse management.

Funding scheme:

NAERINGSPH-Nærings-phd