LogiVille looks ahead to the future of work in the logistics industry

On March 10, 2025 LogiVille, VIL's innovative demonstration center, opened its doors for an exclusive avant-premiere of the Thematour "The Future of Work. During this session, about 60 entrepreneurs and logistics professionals got a unique insight into how robotics, AI and digitalization are radically changing the logistics sector. Fifteen LogiVille partners each gave a short demo of new technologies and solutions that are shaping the workplace of tomorrow.

An inspiring start

Liesbeth Geysels, Managing Director of VIL, kicked off the event with a brief introduction on the importance of this Theme Tour. According to her, the sector must both adapt to rapid technological developments and remain attractive to young talent.

In his keynote presentation, he emphasized Pete Demunter, Acting CEO of Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT)., the crucial role of the logistics sector as the artery of our economy. He pointed out that without efficient and innovative logistics, markets slow down and economies stagnate. In addition, he shared insights from a recent economic mission to India, where digital transformation is happening at lightning speed. According to the FIT chief, it is essential that Flemish companies keep pace with these international developments.

Future trends

Piet Demunter cited the following key trends within the logistics industry:

• Automation and AI: self-driving trucks, drones for last-mile deliveries and collaborative robots (cobots) are becoming increasingly common. According to a McKinsey study, up to 30% of current work hours can be automated, but this does not mean that workers will become redundant. Retraining and upskilling are and will remain crucial.
• Sustainability: the logistics sector accounts for more than 10% of global CO₂-emissions. Electric and hydrogen-powered trucks, sustainable packaging and circular logistics offer both environmental and economic benefits.
• Talent of the future: To keep the sector attractive, logistics companies must invest in training and modern working conditions. Workable work is a key concept in attracting young talent.

Innovation in action

Attendees saw several innovative real-world applications. One of the eye-catchers was Spot, the robot dog from Boston Dynamics. Spot can be equipped with thermal cameras and acoustic sensors to perform inspections in warehouses and production environments, contributing to both safety and efficiency.

Proximus demonstrated its smart glasses, which allow technicians to view technical sheets and receive live support via Teams, among other things. VR solutions also allow logistics workers to train in a digital environment, such as for evacuation drills and safety training.

Another promising innovation came from Customaite, which uses AI to automate customs declarations. Where a customs declarant normally processes 15 to 30 declarations per day, Customaite's software can increase this to 140, resulting in significant time savings. Also Artion delivers innovative AI and data solutions that help companies with process optimization and smart decision making. Their technology enables predictive analytics to improve supply chain efficiency and enable companies to better anticipate future challenges based on data.

Othus offers advanced automation solutions for warehouses and manufacturing environments. Their smart software and robots help companies operate more efficiently by automating repetitive tasks and optimizing workflows.

Start-ups as engines of change

During the introductory plenary session, confirmed Olivier Van Orshoven, Head of Startup.Flanders at FIT, that Flanders is not only a logistics hub, but also an innovation leader within Europe. With 3.6% of GDP invested in R&D, Flanders ranks third worldwide (after Israel and South Korea). Flemish start-ups and scale-ups benefit from a strong network of universities and R&D centers, resulting in groundbreaking technological solutions.

An example is Datashift, which deploys AI to automate repetitive tasks in business processes. Also Altheria showed how XR training can contribute to workplace safety, and NEXTdriver showed how transportation companies can coach their drivers on safer and more sustainable driving habits.

Practical applications and new collaborations

In addition to software and AI solutions, concrete warehouse innovations were also discussed during this preview. Toyota Material Handling Belgium presented an automated reach truck that works in conjunction with a radio shuttle, which is an industry first. Zetes demonstrated a fully automatic inventory retrieval system that allows forklift drivers to easily scan pallets without additional handling. Art4L developed the software platform SMARTPICK to guide logistics operators in an optimal and flexible way.

In addition, showed Zeal Robotics and Alax Automation their autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), which can move goods independently in a warehouse environment without the need for additional infrastructure. This lowers the entry threshold for SMEs looking to invest in automation. EYESEE offers an innovative addition to this with drones for inventory management in warehouses. Their autonomous drones perform fast and accurate inventory checks, saving companies time and minimizing errors.

Sector in full transition

LogiVille's Thematour "The Future of Work" provided a clear look at how the logistics industry is evolving. The combination of automation, sustainability and a strong focus on talent development will determine what the workplace of tomorrow looks like. With strong innovations and a robust startup ecosystem, Flanders seems poised to continue playing a leading role within global logistics.

Learn more about LogiVille and the Thematour "The Future of Work" at www.logiville.be.