The system, called NUNAV, was developed over 18 months in partnership with Hanover-based technology firm Graphmasters and replaces the company’s previous routing software. It has already been implemented at nearly all of ROSSMANN’s regional warehouse locations.
The AI solution forecasts future order volumes using historical data and integrates driver schedules, including holiday and working hours, into route planning. According to the company, this allows for more accurate planning and improved use of vehicle capacity.
One of the system’s key features is collaborative routing, a method that distributes traffic more evenly across available road networks to avoid congestion. This is expected to support more reliable delivery schedules for the company’s fleet.
“Graphmasters’ different approach to traffic calculation leads to more precise forecasts and more accurate planning for trucks and our drivers,” said Henrik van Duuren, ROSSMANN’s Head of Logistics.
The implementation was carried out in close coordination with on-site teams to ensure alignment with day-to-day logistics operations. The system also enables the simulation of future scenarios, which ROSSMANN says will help adapt to changing delivery patterns and retail demand.
The move comes amid a growing trend towards AI-powered logistics planning across Europe. A recent study by autonomous freight technology firm Einride and Germany’s Fraunhofer ISI found that using artificial intelligence to optimise fleet operations can reduce total cost of ownership by up to 13% and significantly increase the share of electric trucks in commercial transport. Based on data from over 38,000 shipments by German grocery chain REWE, the research suggests that intelligent route and charging planning may yield greater economic benefits than simply replacing diesel trucks with electric ones on a one-to-one basis.
