FedEx and IIT Madras Launch SMART Centre to Research Sustainable Logistics Solutions

Takeaways

• FedEx and IIT Madras launch SMART Centre with $5 million five-year grant.

• Centre focuses on AI-powered, sustainable logistics solutions and carbon-neutral operations research.

• Research spans autonomous delivery systems, EV infrastructure, and predictive analytics applications.

• Collaboration aims to position India as powerful global logistics hub leader.

• Initiative combines industry expertise with academic innovation for transformative logistics ecosystem impact.

Federal Express Corporation, the world’s largest express transportation company, and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) have inaugurated the FedEx SMART Centre (Supply Chain Modelling, Algorithms, Research and Technology Centre) in the campus, said a Press Information Bureau article.

A first-of-its-kind innovation hub, it will be dedicated to building sustainable, technology-driven logistics solutions.

Backed by a five-year USD 5 million grant from FedEx, the Centre will combine cutting-edge research, advanced digital tools, and industry expertise to reimagine supply chains for agility, resilience, and environmental responsibility.

The inauguration was led recently by Kami Viswanathan, President, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx, along with Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, vice president, Marketing, Customer Experience, and Air Network, MEISA, FedEx, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras and Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras. Image credit: PIB Chennai

“This Center is more than just a hub for research. It’s a space where technology and talent come together with a shared purpose to shape what’s next,” said Kami Viswanathan. “By combining deep academic insight and global industry expertise, we can build smarter, more sustainable supply chains that create meaningful impact far all stakeholders,” Ms. Viswanathan added.

Adding to this, Nitin Navneet Tatiwala said, “Logistics today is about smart, resilient systems that adapt in real time and tread lighter on the planet. At the FedEx SMART Centre, we’re co-developing AI-powered, data-driven solutions to help businesses compete, scale, and lead in a world that demands both agility and environmental responsibility.”

Positioned as a hub for national engagement and research excellence, the SMART Centre is driving Pan-India impact. Image Credit: PIB Chennai

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “Sound and efficient Logistics define the economy of a Nation, the joint efforts taken by IIT Madras and FedEx will not only solve complex problems in logistics and supply chain but also address important human resources related issues and related infrastructure.”

The Centre will drive interdisciplinary projects spanning carbon-neutral operations, autonomous delivery systems, EV infrastructure, predictive analytics, and AI-driven worker safety, while also building platforms for capacity development and knowledge sharing.

Thanking FedEx for their support, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, added, “Our corporate allies have been instrumental in fostering fruitful industry-academia collaborations that drive social impact. In this spirit, we are grateful to FedEx for their generous support in establishing the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras. This collaboration brings together industry expertise and academic innovation to create real-world solutions for sustainable logistics. By fostering cutting-edge research, talent development, and global associations, the Centre is poised to make a transformative impact on the logistics ecosystem.”

Highlighting the need for research in logistics, Project Principal Investigator Prof Arshinder Kaur, Department of Management Studies, IIT Madras, said, “We are aspiring to transform the future of the supply chain and logistics industry by adopting emerging technologies such as Electrical vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and digital frameworks enhancing social and environmental sustainability and supply chain visibility. Fully aware of the complexities and uncertainties of the global environment, we are driven by the vision of positioning India as a powerful global logistics hub.”

With contribution from FedEx and IIT Madras providing research leadership, the SMART Centre aims to become a launchpad for logistics innovation — where ideas move from whiteboards to working prototypes, and from prototypes to national and global impact. Together, they are shaping a future where India leads in building smarter, sustainable, and more connected supply chains.