LO·GIS·TECHS
The Exponential Technologies Transforming How Goods Are Transported, Handled, and Cleared Through Customs
Daniel Covarrubias, Ph.D. — Director, Texas Center for Border Economic & Enterprise Development, TAMIU
Originally published February 2023 (Wilson Quarterly) | Updated February 2026
Source: MHI & Deloitte 2025 Annual Industry Report
Why “Logistechs”?
The term was coined to capture a phenomenon that had no name: the simultaneous convergence of multiple exponential technologies upon the logistics industry. Individual innovations had been studied in isolation, but the compound effect — when AI meets IoT meets blockchain meets autonomous systems — demanded a unifying concept.
“Logistechs represent the impact that exponential technologies have on logistics. We classify them as the exponential technologies that support the transport of goods, that improve their handling, and that expedite their customs clearances.”
Transport
- Autonomous vehicles
- Drones
- Cargo blimps
- IoT sensors
- Route optimization
Handling
- Robotics
- Warehouse automation
- 3D/4D printing
- Digital twins
- AR/VR
Clearance
- AI risk assessment
- Blockchain docs
- Predictive analytics
- Auto compliance
This convergence is a hallmark of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. When multiple exponential technologies grow simultaneously, their growth curves intertwine, creating acceleration that compounds rather than merely adds. Logistechs captures this convergence as it applies to the movement, handling, and clearance of goods across borders.
As published in The Wilson Quarterly, February 2023“The next stage of North American competitiveness won’t come from more lanes; it will come from better data, smarter coordination, and applied A.I.”
The Logistechs Living Lab
The first logistics digitalization living lab focused on cross-border flows, housed at TAMIU’s Texas Center for Border Economic & Enterprise Development. It brings together technology providers, logistics firms, government agencies, and researchers to pilot real solutions in a controlled yet operational environment.
Problem Identification
Collective Intelligence
Pilot Testing
Solutions
Participant Roles
Active Pilot Programs
Unified Trailer Interchange Application
Supply chain security, traceability, and predictive maintenance through IoT-enabled trailer tracking.
IoT Sensor Comparison for Traceability
Comparative analysis of sensor technologies for real-time cargo traceability across border crossings.
Living Lab Sessions bring startup companies to present AI solutions, digital twins, and IoT applications to the logistics community in accessible formats — bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical implementation.
Interested in participating? Contact the Texas Center“By participating in these sessions, SMEs can gain valuable insights, network with peers, and discover practical ways to implement Logistechs in their operations.”
The Framework
Logistechs categorizes exponential technologies by their primary function in the logistics ecosystem, each delivering distinct operational benefits.
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
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.
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%.
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)
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
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
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.
Organization Readiness
My organization is very ready to use technology to improve work outcomes and team performance.
Importance Recognition
Using technology to improve work outcomes and team performance is very important or important to my organization's success.
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
The Convergence Effect — Why Exponential Matters
The McKinsey Global Institute finds that transportation and warehousing has the 3rd highest automation potential of any sector. But the real story isn’t any single technology — it’s convergence.
Top Companies by Market Cap — 1979
Top Companies by Market Cap — 2024
“This convergence is why Logistechs matter. Individual technologies improve operations. But when AI meets IoT meets blockchain meets autonomous systems, the effect isn’t additive — it’s multiplicative.”
Logistechs for SMEs — The Family Business Challenge
Established family-owned logistics SMEs face a unique “comfort trap”: traditional methods combined with consistent profitability create reluctance to change. Yet the Laredo corridor alone handles $330B+ in annual two-way trade — and SMEs are its backbone.
Efficiency & Cost Reduction
Automated processes, predictive analytics, and real-time tracking reduce operational overhead and eliminate manual bottlenecks.
Enhanced Customer Service
Unprecedented shipment visibility and automated updates give clients real-time confidence in their supply chain.
Competitive Positioning
Data-driven insights and tailored services allow SMEs to compete with larger firms on technology, not just price.
Strategic Adoption Path
Logistechs in the Wild
Speaking engagements, publications, and conferences where the Logistechs framework has been the featured topic.
Connected Research
Logistechs is part of a larger research ecosystem on North American trade, technology, and border innovation.
Navigating the New Era of U.S.-México Trade
Policy, Technology, and Border Innovation
Available on AmazonDaniel Covarrubias, Ph.D.
Director, Texas Center for Border
Economic & Enterprise Development
TAMIU A.R. Sanchez Jr. School of Business
Education
- Ph.D. — Deusto Business School (Spain)
- M.A. Political Science — TAMIU
- MBA — UTSA
- BBA — Monterrey Tec
Board Positions
- TRB Standing Committee on International Trade & Transportation (National Academies)
- CBP COAC Cross-Border Recognition Working Group
- US-Mexico Foundation C26+ Smart Borders Working Group
Media
Wall Street Journal, Texas Standard, PBS
Explore the Logistechs Framework
Dive deeper into the research, get the book, or join the conversation on cross-border technology and trade innovation.
Texas Center for Border Economic & Enterprise Development • Texas A&M International University