The DEPOT project, funded by the Aviation Research Programme LUFO V 3 Call, set out to transform the traditionally linear value chains of the aerospace sector into dynamic, digitally connected networks. Its overarching aim was to enable end‑to‑end tracking and tracing from design through supplier production to final assembly at the aircraft manufacturer, thereby improving cost efficiency and responsiveness. The initiative was organised around four main work packages: digital product development, logistics, supply‑chain integration, and a final demonstration. A 6‑month extension was secured to mitigate delays caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic, and the demonstration phase was successfully completed at month t0 + X.

Technically, the project delivered several key innovations. First, it advanced the digitalisation of the supply chain by embedding intelligent, modular carriers equipped with RFID tags that store not only location data but also manufacturing status, quality information, and other process documentation. This capability builds on earlier research such as the Fraunhofer IML “smaRTI” and Fraunhofer IPA “smart WT” projects, extending the use of RFID beyond simple inventory tracking to full process integration. Second, the deployment of autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) was refined through extensive testing at Airbus facilities. Two AGVs from Knapp were trialled in production and logistics environments, and their safety performance was enhanced by adding additional sensors that broadened the vehicles’ collision‑avoidance envelope. The sensor‑augmented AGVs demonstrated reliable operation in the presence of human workers and complex material flows.

A further milestone was the integration of a lift system to enable multi‑level transport of pallets and larger carriers such as the Wanzl wagon. This required the development of machine‑to‑machine (M2M) communication protocols to coordinate the AGV, lift, and warehouse management system, ensuring seamless hand‑off of components between floors. The resulting automated material‑flow control chain—from automatic detection of incoming parts, through lift‑mediated transfer, to automated return of empty carriers—proved both robust and scalable.

The project also tackled the optimisation of material feeding at the assembly level. In the “optimised material feeding” sub‑project, laboratory and pilot‑scale setups were used to validate the vision that future components could be delivered to the assembly line within arm’s reach of the operator. These experiments confirmed that the combination of modular carriers, real‑time status updates, and automated transport can reduce manual handling time and improve ergonomics.

Collaboration was central to DEPOT’s success. Airbus acted as the industry partner, providing production sites, logistics infrastructure, and the AirSupply collaboration platform, which was expanded to include real‑time location and status data. Research partners included Fraunhofer IML, Fraunhofer IPA, Gebhard Logistic Solutions, Würth (supplier of the iBin intelligent container), Knapp (AGV manufacturer), and Wanzl (specialised pallet systems). Each partner contributed expertise in digital product development, logistics automation, or supply‑chain analytics, ensuring that the solutions were both technically sound and industrially relevant. The project’s timeline spanned several years, with the final demonstration marking the culmination of a coordinated effort across academia, industry, and logistics specialists.