Automated Logistics in the B5G/6G Era

Logistics is the backbone of the global economy connecting businesses, consumers and nations through efficient movement and distribution of goods and services. This implicates for immense business opportunities and options for financial and economic growth. The challenge becomes greater via advancements in information technology, vehicle autonomy and connectivity, allowing the creation of new types of services as well as reshaping existing ones. 5G in logistics can make the movement of products easier and more accurate. 5G not only enables a multiplicity of smart devices to communicate in speeds close to real-time, but it also supports inclusion of novel applications based on Artificial Intelligence, being able to radically transform the supply chain. Most of actions within modern warehouses are performed by Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), allowing for many benefits such as increased safety and accuracy, reduced error rate, scalability, reduced labor cost and many more. B5G technology holds immense potential in revolutionizing logistics by enhancing connectivity, automation and efficiency. With ultra-fast data transmission speeds, embedded local AI and ultra-low latency, B5G/6G networks can facilitate real-time tracking of goods, enabling precise inventory management and supply chain optimization. This will create new business models, service opportunities and product categories. In the present work we also discuss an automated logistics use case originating from the framework of the on-going 6G-PATH EU-funded project. We discuss its context by focusing on innovative features, KPIs and KVIs and we present the corresponding testbed for the intended trials.