XPO Logistics Launches Partnership With MIT
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GREENWICH, Conn. — XPO Logistics Inc. announced Oct. 24 that it was teaming up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to advance innovation in its industry.
XPO represents the first global logistics company to join MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program, a research-focused initiative that partners with several hundred major companies around the world to tackle global business challenges.
Today, XPO becomes the first global logistics company to join @MIT’s #IndustrialLiaisonProgram! We’re marrying our industry experience with the best students and faculty in the world to revolutionize #tech innovation. #WeAreXPO | https://t.co/WjCSuYb6Ix pic.twitter.com/qcT0TouPdF
— XPO Logistics, Inc. (@XPOLogistics) October 24, 2019
“We’re excited to explore the latest developments in technology with the MIT ILP,” Mario Harik, XPO’s chief information officer, said in a statement. “This is an opportunity for us to realize new levels of productivity for our customers, while providing input into the future of robotics, machine learning and systems engineering.”
In another move focused on supporting emerging technologies, XPO plans to publicly unveil next year its Innovation Lab in High Point, N.C. The research-and-development hub would operate as “a conduit for the brightest minds in logistics, including students, academics and tech startups,” the company said in a statement.
The North Carolina site has focused on technology for more than 10 years, with many of XPO’s robotics, artificial intelligence and machine-learning products tested there.
XPO said it invests approximately $550 million each year in innovation-focused initiatives. It has about 1,800 technology professionals who work on those projects.
XPO Logistics ranks No. 3 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of for-hire carriers in North America.
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