Internet of Everything and Digital Twin enabled Service Platform for Cold Chain Logistics

Area of Science:

• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Information Technology in Operations
• Cyber-Physical Systems

Background:

• E-commerce growth presents significant challenges in cold chain logistics (CCL), impacting staff safety, product integrity, and operational efficiency.
• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical needs for robust vaccine supply chains, emphasizing the necessity for innovative CCL solutions.
• Existing CCL systems often lack comprehensive data integration and real-time oversight, leading to inefficiencies and risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and validate a cyber-physical platform framework for cold chain logistics (CCL) utilizing Internet of Everything (IoE) and Digital Twin (DT) technologies.
• To enhance information integration, digital servitization, and smart services for stakeholders within the CCL environment.
• To address challenges in staff safety, product quality assurance, and operational efficiency in e-commerce logistics.

Main Methods:

• Development of a cyber-physical platform integrating IoE and DT to digitalize physical assets, processes, and personnel.
• Implementation of deep learning algorithms for accident identification and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based indoor localization for real-time staff safety supervision.
• Deployment of mobile and desktop applications for paperless operations, remote temperature and humidity (T&H) monitoring, anomaly detection, and customer interaction.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated significant improvements in staff safety management, operational informatization, and product quality assurance through a real-life case study in pharmaceutical distribution.
• Achieved enhanced information traceability and visibility across the cold chain logistics process.
• Validated the feasibility and practicality of the proposed IoE and DT platform for real-world CCL applications.

Conclusions:

• The proposed IoE and DT cyber-physical platform offers a viable and effective solution for modernizing cold chain logistics.
• The integrated system successfully addresses key challenges in e-commerce logistics, leading to improved operational outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction.
• The study provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners aiming to innovate within the cold chain logistics industry.