{"id":117246,"date":"2024-12-06T17:18:13","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T16:18:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cbs-consulting.com\/?post_type=update&p=117246"},"modified":"2026-01-23T15:55:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T14:55:07","slug":"genossenschaft-migros-ostschweiz-optimizes-train-sequence-check-with-ai-and-smartglasses","status":"publish","type":"update","link":"https:\/\/www.cbs-consulting.com\/en\/update\/genossenschaft-migros-ostschweiz-optimizes-train-sequence-check-with-ai-and-smartglasses\/","title":{"rendered":"Genossenschaft Migros Ostschweiz optimizes train sequence check with AI and smartglasses"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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To increase precision and efficiency in yard operations, the retail cooperative Genossenschaft Migros Ostschweiz is optimizing its processes with smartglasses and AI-based image recognition. Migros selected the cbs subsidiary leogistics, with whom it has a long-standing partnership, as its digitalization partner.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>

As a leading Swiss retail association, Genossenschaft Migros Ostschweiz (appr. 9000 employees, \u20ac 2.64 bn. turnover) is always looking for ways to further improve logistics processes. \u201cWe want to automate simple and repetitive tasks as much as possible so that our employees can focus on the things that matter. Our aim is to constantly improve in logistics. Technology and innovation play a key role in achieving this,\u201d says Daniel Balmer, Head of Transport Logistics at Migros Ostschweiz.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Accordingly, the current smartglasses project aims to make manual processes in logistics more efficient and to enable hands-free working. The project includes use cases in the truck and rail sector. The first step was to improve the incoming and outgoing train processes at the Migros Ostschweiz yard as a proof of concept.<\/p>

When trains arrive, the standardized UIC wagon number is used to check whether the correct wagons have arrived, whether they have the correct goods loaded and whether the order of the wagons in the train formation is correct. This check is also carried out when the wagons leave the plant premises so that adjustments can be made if necessary. Until now, employees have been checking the wagons using tablets or smartphones on which leogistics-developed SAP UI5 yard management apps are installed. An app is used to compare the labels on the wagons with the information in the system. If a wagon is not correctly announced and therefore does not exist in the system, the wagon numbers are entered manually. This can lead to errors and thus delays.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Use of smartglasses and AI to capture the wagon numbers <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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To make this process more efficient, the Migros Ostschweiz cooperative is working with the consulting company leogistics, with which it has been in a long-term partnership. In addition, leogistics has proven experience in the areas of data glasses and AI through the DIANA project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport and which accelerates the technical inspection of wagons.<\/p>

The team modified the leogistics solution previously used for train order checking with AI-based car number recognition using data glasses. For the AI component of the solution, leogistics worked together with developers from the parent company cbs Corporate Business Solutions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201eThe challenge for image recognition of the UIC wagon number is the fact that a variety of numbers and symbols are displayed on the wagons, but only very specific information may be recorded. To make matters worse, dirt and graffiti can cover the numbers, and the viewing angle and lighting conditions are constantly changing.\u201d<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Dr. Felix Aller<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Solution Architect at cbs<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Nevertheless, the working prototype was developed in less than three months and with a particularly small amount of training data of approximately 100 images. \u201cA solution was implemented in a short time that works very robustly \u2013 and closely aligned with the SAP process,\u201d says Dr. Felix Aller. Deployment takes place in the cloud, so the data in the app and the SAP system are available in real time. This also makes the solution easy to scale so that it can later be made available to hundreds of employees.<\/p>

The leogistics team specially adapted the app to work with the smartglasses. \u201cThe goal is to achieve a workflow that is as user-friendly as possible and runs completely hands-free, and to do that, we used the capabilities of modern hardware,\u201d explains Katharina Gilberz, leogistics project manager. The application is operated via voice control. If a trolley is not pre-registered in the system, a voice command activates the integrated camera of the smartglasses, the trolley number is recorded and the trolley is added. The data is automatically created in SAP after a logic check. Employees can use the peripheral display of the smartglasses to access the app and check the status.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Introduction of the solution and outlook <\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTests of the prototype showed that the process of recording wagons can be accelerated and the source of error in manual entry can be eliminated. Voice control means that employees do not have to lower their gaze, type or scroll, or take off and put on their gloves. In addition to significantly increasing the efficiency of the process, this also further improves occupational safety. The testers’ feedback was positive: \u201cWe were very satisfied about the ease of use and the simplification of the train sequence check. The project illustrates how effectively and quickly standard processes can be optimized and automated,\u201d says Daniel Balmer.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Migros Ostschweiz cooperative<\/a> is now initially transferring the automated AI image processing with the already used tablets to regular operation. As soon as the process runs smoothly, it will be adopted for the smartglasses. When it comes to the hardware of the smartglasses, MIGROS Ostschweiz still sees room for optimization on the part of the manufacturers with regard to ergonomics, battery life and the display. Nevertheless, the industry ist on the right track: \u201cA lot of development and innovation can be expected in the near future when it comes to smartglasses,\u201d says Daniel Balmer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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