Lucas Systems teams up with Carnegie Mellon University to optimize packaging

Distribution centre technology provider, Lucas Systems is working with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) on new packaging research.

The research is focused on developing ways to reduce distribution centre and transportation waste by optimizing the packing and packaging of multiple items in a single order. The research work could contribute to significant environmental and commercial impact for thousands of companies in the logistics industry.

Worldwide consumption of paper and cardboard has grown steadily over the past 60 years by about seven percent year over year, according to a March 2023 report by Statista. Lucas Systems points out that this is five times more paper and cardboard than in 1960.

As part of the project, master’s level students in CMU’s Software and Societal Systems Department (S3D) in the School of Computer Science will use 3D visualization frameworks, mobile app development, Core CS and Web/Angular/JS environments and work with Lucas Systems’s data scientists and software engineers on the architecture, user interfaces, and optimization suited for solving end of supply chain distribution challenges.

The joint project will contribute to Lucas Systems’s development of smart software to help warehouse workers pick products to fulfill an order in the most eco-friendly and efficient way.

“The entire distribution industry has numerous opportunities to reduce waste and improve sustainability,” says Lucas Systems CTO Mark McCleary.

“Consumers already recognize the increased amount of material they throw away with each shipment they receive. Consumers are paying for a lot of that waste – and so is our environment.”

Over 90 percent of items shipped in the U.S. are packaged in cardboard.

Lucas Systems’ work with CMU could mean a very large potential economic impact for the distribution industry.

Lucas Systems leaders say the solutions to these types of problems are incredibly complex and must lean on a variety of modern technologies and know-how for help.

“CMU and S3D are excited to work with Lucas Systems on this critical challenge. Improving the sustainability of packaging using the latest technologies is an area that we’re excited to contribute to,” said Travis Breaux, director of the Master of Software Engineering programs and associate professor of computer science.