AI robot for stock taking wins HIDC Innovation Award. During a summer networking event at the High Tech Campus in Eindhoven, the trade association HIDC (Holland International Distribution Council) organised an innovation competition in which six logistics solutions were assessed. With an autonomous robot that independently carries out warehouse stock-taking, Brain Corp took home the innovation prize. Jury chair Liane Philipsen praised the practical nature of the innovation. "A great entry-level model for getting started with physical AI." By Harm Beerens "The logistics sector is under considerable pressure due to staff shortages and rising labour costs. In an average warehouse, stock accuracy stands at just 83 per cent. Staff spend a great deal of time counting and searching for products. So you can see why this robot can add so much value," says Michel Spruijt (pictured, centre) of Brain Corp Europe during his winning pitch. The Automated Inventory Intelligence solution he presented consists of an autonomous robot that uses AI to scan warehouse racks and automatically check stock levels. Spruijt: "During pilot projects, stock accuracy rose to over 99 per cent, whilst companies with the same number of staff can get much more work done." Brain Corp made a name for itself with autonomous cleaning robots, of which more than 50,000 have now been sold. Using the same AI platform, the company later also developed robots for shop stock-taking, which are used by Walmart, amongst others. The warehouse robot was launched in the United States just a few weeks ago and made its European debut in Eindhoven. A platform for HIDC members. As well as Brain Corp, five other HIDC members presented their innovations to the expert jury. Each participant was given 5 minutes to pitch their solution, after which the jury, led by Liane Philipsen, director of warehousing at Mainfreight, put the speakers through their paces. According to Remco Buurman, managing director of HIDC, that is precisely the aim of the Innovation Award. "Both the participants and the jury are members of HIDC. With this event, we aim to offer our members a platform to inspire one another and showcase the innovations being developed in the logistics sector." As well as organising a knowledge and networking platform, HIDC is committed to promoting the Netherlands internationally as a location for distribution centres and other logistics activities. From carbon insetting to ice buffers. An interesting pitch also came from Rogier de Jager of Finco Energies, who presented the Biofuel Swap - a practical concept for companies wishing to make their transport more sustainable. Instead of having hauliers run on HVO everywhere, Finco blends an agreed quantity of biofuel into its distribution network on behalf of the shipper. The resulting CO[2] reduction is then credited to that shipper via a certified system. Grid congestion is becoming an increasingly significant barrier for transport companies wishing to switch to electric lorries. The Belgian company Smappee has therefore introduced a smart Energy Management System (EMS) that optimally coordinates charging points, solar panels, batteries and even underground ice storage systems. By continuously taking into account electricity prices, weather forecasts and expected charging demand, the system automatically determines when energy should be stored or used. 20 per cent fewer delivery vans. Most of the innovations were home-grown in the Netherlands. For example, Wuunder developed a solution that encourages online shoppers, at the checkout stage, to choose a delivery day on which other parcels are already being delivered in their neighbourhood. To do this, the company uses data from its own checkout platform, which brings together all scheduled deliveries from affiliated online shops. "This means we can manage with 20 per cent fewer delivery vans in the Netherlands and, moreover, give consumers the opportunity to consciously choose a more sustainable delivery option," says co-founder Jeroen Gehlen. "Research also shows that this increases the conversion rate at checkout by 30 per cent." Another innovation came from the Dutch company Connected Load Carrier, which uses sensors and other tracking technologies to monitor the movements of load carriers in real time throughout the supply chain. According to founder Davy Baars, the greatest benefit lies not in digitising individual companies, but rather in digitising the handover points between supply chain partners. By bringing assets and data together on a single platform, all parties gain greater control over their shared supply chain. The sixth participant was Davanti WICS, which emphasised its position as a pioneer in the field of cloud-native warehouse management. According to Robert Reith, the company stands out because its WMS was developed from the ground up for the cloud, allowing new functionality and AI applications to be rolled out more quickly than with traditional systems. 'Just get started with physical AI' Following the six presentations, the jury withdrew to deliberate. Shortly afterwards, jury chair Philipsen announced the winner. According to her, Brain Corp stood out because its solution brings AI and robotisation into logistics practice in an accessible way. "All the innovations we saw today were worthwhile, but this solution is an excellent entry-level option for companies wishing to gain experience with physical AI. Moreover, Brain Corp demonstrated very clearly exactly which problem it solves and what benefits this brings." According to Philipsen, this is desperately needed, as the Dutch logistics sector is at risk of losing its lead. "I can see that logistics in the Netherlands is starting to become a bit less glamorous. Regulations and the labour shortage are also contributing to this." That is precisely why, she believes, logistics companies must continue to invest in AI, robotisation and other innovative technologies. "My experience at Mainfreight is that you simply have to get started. Then new ideas will naturally emerge from which, as a company, you can derive even greater value." According to winner Michel Spruijt, Europe is still lagging behind the United States when it comes to the use of robots and physical AI, but that gap is slowly narrowing. "I'm already noticing it today," he remarked afterwards during the drinks reception. "I've spoken to various logistics companies and have even arranged a first follow-up meeting."

Louyet Group offers customers Belgian smart charging solutions with Smappee. "At Louyet Group, we strive to offer the highest-quality products to our customers. Smappee is a premium brand on the market - and it's Belgian too." To provide customers with a complete and premium electric driving experience, Louyet Group entered into an exclusive partnership with Smappee. Through this collaboration, buyers of electric BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, or McLaren vehicles gain direct access to Smappee's smart charging solutions, installed by certified partner ZinRgie. Customer Louyet Group Country Belgium Industry Automotive Louyet Group is a leading Belgian car dealer with 14 locations across Brussels and Wallonia. The group represents premium brands such as BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce, and McLaren. Their commitment to quality, innovation, and service ensures a seamless customer experience - from purchase to aftersales. With the growing adoption of electric vehicles, Louyet Group wanted to offer customers a complete solution: not just a premium EV, but also a smart and reliable home charging option. They sought a partner that shares their commitment to quality and customer care - and one that's firmly rooted in Belgium. Louyet Group chose Smappee's Belgian charging solutions: the Smappee EV Wall and EV One. Both models combine sleek design with smart features such as energy management and capacity limits. Installation is handled by certified Smappee partner ZinRgie, ensuring a smooth, worry-free setup for every customer. "Smappee's outstanding service perfectly matches our ongoing pursuit of excellence in both products and customer care. We know our clients will be well supported during the installation and commissioning of their charging station. That's essential for us." Laurent Louyet, CEO, Louyet Group * Exclusive partnership between Louyet Group and Smappee * Customers gain instant access to smart charging with their EV purchase * Professional installation by certified Smappee partners * Belgian technology combining premium design and ease of use * Reinforced Louyet Group's image of quality and sustainability Why Smappee? * Belgian brand with a strong reputation in smart charging * Seamless integration of technology, design, and energy management * Premium user experience matching Louyet's brand portfolio * Excellent support and service for customers and installers * Local production and proven innovation