DHL and PASQAL Launch Quantum Pilot for Dynamic Freight Matching in Europe

Facing increasing complexity in freight logistics, DHL Supply Chain launched a pioneering quantum optimization pilot in August 2023, collaborating with PASQAL—specialists in neutral atom quantum processors—and Fraunhofer ITWM. The initiative addresses dynamic freight matching, a challenging operational task that involves continuously assigning shipments to available trucks, optimizing routes, and minimizing empty runs amid unpredictable conditions.

The pilot focused on mid-haul routes between major regional distribution centers and last-mile depots in Frankfurt, Lille, and Eindhoven. These hubs manage thousands of daily shipments complicated by variable driver schedules, weather, and traffic disruptions. DHL’s existing AI-assisted routing was augmented with quantum-enhanced solvers that modeled shipment consolidation, truck routing, and idle time reduction through Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization (QUBO) problem formulations.

PASQAL’s neutral atom quantum devices differ from other quantum hardware by trapping atoms with lasers in optical lattices, providing scalability and robustness advantageous for logistics problems. Fraunhofer ITWM contributed domain-specific constraints—such as EU driver hours and asset rotation—to ensure realistic models. Benchmarking compared classical-only algorithms with hybrid quantum-classical approaches, revealing the latter’s edge in complex, volatile scenarios.

Preliminary simulation results from late August 2023 show:

• Up to 13% reduction in empty mileage, notably on cross-border lanes such as Frankfurt–Lille.

• A 6–9% improvement in delivery window adherence, bolstering customer satisfaction.

• Trailer fill rate increases of 4–6%, helping control fuel and labor costs.
  The system’s ability to re-optimize routes within 15 seconds positions it well for near real-time dispatch adjustments during peak demand.

Quantum optimization enables exploration of many solution combinations simultaneously, overcoming classical solvers’ limitations that often get trapped in suboptimal routing under combinatorial complexity. Though current quantum hardware still faces scale and noise constraints, hybrid solvers already show promise in logistics use cases.

DHL plans to extend the pilot to temperature-controlled freight, multimodal shipments, and to deepen partnerships with European quantum startups. The project also ties into broader industry movements, joining other quantum logistics experiments by Maersk, FedEx, and DB Schenker.

Challenges remain around hardware scale, manual problem formulation, and the need for user-friendly interfaces that explain quantum-derived decisions. DHL is investing in no-code modeling tools and quantum education for operations planners to bridge these gaps.

This August 2023 pilot signals a turning point: quantum computing is moving from theoretical research to a practical tool for complex, mission-critical logistics. Early adopters like DHL are poised to gain operational efficiency and strategic advantage as Europe’s quantum ecosystem matures and scales.