**Coventry**: Jaguar Land Rover, in partnership with Plug and Play, has launched its second Innovation Challenge, encouraging innovators to develop technologies for improved supply chain mapping. The initiative aims to enhance traceability and visibility in anticipation of the electric vehicle transition, with submissions due by April 25, 2025.
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has unveiled its second Innovation Challenge, in partnership with innovation platform Plug and Play, aimed at engaging innovators, start-ups, and academics to develop advanced supply chain mapping technologies. This initiative seeks to enhance the accuracy of traceability, risk mapping, and overall visibility throughout the entirety of the supply chain. The deadline for submissions is set for April 25, 2025, with key dates including a Pitch Day event on July 3, 2025.
This new challenge arises in the wake of disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic, during which JLR has been streamlining its supply chains and strengthening partnerships with suppliers to improve planning and parts visibility, thus mitigating risks. The company is particularly focused on ensuring resilience in its supply chain as it progresses towards the development of the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs) and the necessary global supply network to support this transition.
For applicants to this year’s challenge, the directive is clear: they must enhance the precision of supply chain traceability and risk mapping, covering all levels from tier one parts suppliers to tier-n raw material source providers that supply materials essential for EV batteries. Innovative solutions may incorporate technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and predictive analytics.
Paulina Chmielarz, JLR’s Digital and Innovation Director for Industrial Operations, spoke to Automotive Logistics about the challenge, stating, “The future of supply chains is autonomous, intelligent and data driven. At JLR, we’re harnessing the power of AI, machine learning, and real-time analytics to unlock unprecedented visibility and resilience.” Chmielarz further called upon innovators and tech frontrunners to collaborate with JLR in constructing the next generation of automated supply chains.
In alignment with its commitment to environmental and social governance, JLR is also focused on enhancing transparency within the EV supply chain to combat issues like forced labour, illegal deforestation, and mining practices. The organisation established a UK innovation hub in partnership with Plug and Play in 2022 as part of its broader Open Innovation strategy, which aims to accelerate the integration of next-generation technology and sustainability within its operations. This is further indicated by JLR’s recent Sustainability Innovation Challenge held in June of the previous year.
JLR’s innovation priorities contribute to its Reimagine strategy, which sets the ambitious goal of becoming a carbon net-zero business by 2039. The company is investing a significant £15 billion (equivalent to $19.4 billion) across its industrial footprint, vehicle development programmes, talent acquisition, as well as advancements in autonomous, AI, and digital technologies.
Previous editions of the Innovation Challenge have recognised notable innovations including Genomines, which focuses on genetically enhanced plants to extract metals crucial for electrification, and Circuli-ion, which specialises in the automated disassembly and recycling of battery packs. In addition, aircela was acknowledged for developing technology aimed at capturing carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere to convert into carbon-neutral fuel.
In a related vein, in November 2023, JLR announced the introduction of a new seat foam—developed in collaboration with suppliers Dow and Adient—that utilises closed-loop recycled polyurethane foam. This marked a significant milestone as it was the first instance of closed-loop seat foam being implemented in automotive production.
Additionally, JLR is actively participating in UECC’s Sail for Change initiative, launched in January 2024, which supports the maritime transport of finished vehicles with the option to use biofuel for short-sea shipments. This move is part of JLR’s overarching commitment to sustainability and innovative logistics solutions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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