Daniel Covarrubias

LO·GIS·TECHS

Represent the impact that exponential technologies have on logistics and can be classified as those that support the transportation of goods, those that improve their handling, and technologies that streamline their customs clearance.

Transport
Efficiency
Handling
Cost Reduction
Customs Clearance
Speed

Framework developed by Dr. Daniel Covarrubias (2021)

The Framework

Logistechs categorizes exponential technologies by their primary function in the logistics ecosystem, each delivering distinct operational benefits.

LOGISTECHSTRANSPORTEfficiencyHANDLINGCost ReductionCUSTOMSSpeed

Click a category to explore its technologies

Technologies & Impacts

Each Logistech delivers measurable improvements across the supply chain, from operational efficiency to compliance and visibility.

Select Technology

Explore Technology Impacts

Select a technology to see its impacts and applications

Complete Impact Matrix

Internet of Things
efficiencyspeedthroughputquality
Robotics and Automation
productivityefficiencyorder fulfillment rate & delivery
Predictive Analytics
traceabilityvisibilityforecasting
Artificial Intelligence
flexibilityreliabilityspeedreduce in product losses
Driverless Vehicles and Drones
accuracyefficienciesreducing costsimproving service quality
Blockchain
real time visibilitytracking & compliance

The Adoption Surge

Supply chain technology adoption is accelerating exponentially. AI adoption alone is projected to nearly triple—from 28% today to 82% by 2029—representing the fastest growth trajectory among logistics technologies.

In Use Today
Within 5 Years
% of organizations
28% → 82%
AI adoption projected to nearly triple by 2029

Source: MHI & Deloitte 2025 Annual Industry Report (n=700+ supply chain leaders)

Disruptive Potential

Not all technologies carry equal transformative weight. Robotics & automation leads with 63% of leaders citing disruptive potential, followed by AI at 52%—technologies central to the Logistechs framework's handling and transportation categories.

Category:
Transport
Handling
Customs/Clearance
63%
Robotics & Automation
handling
52%
Artificial Intelligence
customs
50%
Autonomous Vehicles
transport

Source: MHI & Deloitte 2025 Annual Industry Report

AI in Action

AI is permeating every layer of the logistics stack. From inventory optimization (35%) to transportation routing (27%), artificial intelligence represents the connective tissue enabling next-generation supply chain orchestration.

Current or Planned AI Use (Within 2 Years)

Inventory Management
Leading AI application area
35%
Demand Forecasting
Near-tie for top adoption
34%
Transportation & Logistics
Routing & optimization
27%
Connective Intelligence
AI links inventory, forecasting, and transport into unified systems

Source: MHI & Deloitte 2025 Annual Industry Report

The Talent Imperative

The Logistechs transformation isn't purely technological—it's fundamentally human. 63% of organizations are upskilling existing employees, recognizing that exponential technologies require exponential talent development.

Actions Organizations Are Taking to Address Skills Gaps

63%
Upskilling Priority
Organizations investing in current employee development

Source: MHI & Deloitte 2025 Annual Industry Report

Barriers to Entry

Budget constraints (26%) and knowledge gaps (22%) remain the primary barriers to AI adoption—suggesting that education and ROI demonstration, not technological limitations, are the real obstacles to Logistechs maturity.

Top Barriers to AI Adoption

Lack of Budget
26%
Lack of Understanding
22%
No Clear Business Case
19%
Economic Uncertainty
14%
Inadequate Talent
8%
Key Insight
48% of barriers are knowledge-related, not technical

Source: MHI & Deloitte 2025 Annual Industry Report

The Readiness Gap

While organizations recognize the critical importance of technology adoption, a significant gap exists between recognition and actual readiness.

22%

Organization Readiness

My organization is very ready to use technology to improve work outcomes and team performance.

93%

Importance Recognition

Using technology to improve work outcomes and team performance is very important or important to my organization's success.

71%
Readiness Gap

The gap between recognizing technology's importance and being ready to implement it represents a critical opportunity for organizations to develop their logistics technology capabilities.

Source: MHI & Deloitte 2022, PwC Digital Trends in Supply Chain Survey 2022

Ready to Explore Further?

The Logistechs framework is part of ongoing research into how exponential technologies are transforming cross-border trade and logistics operations.

Texas Center for Border Economic & Enterprise DevelopmentTexas A&M International University