In industrial real estate, change and innovation are hot topics, with blockchain, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics unmissable subjects at any real estate gathering today. A lot is happening in terms of industry modernisation, and anticipating how these changes will ripple through, or even disrupt the sector is useful. Prologis has gone further in anticipating directly how changes on the horizon can affect its own business and that of their customers.

Robbert Heekelaar, our vice president of architecture and emerging technologies, recently shed more light on this in an illuminating podcast.

Prologis Labs

A good example of innovation at Prologis is the recently launched Prologis Labs: a 1300 square metre physical space in San Leandro offering the freedom to test and experiment warehouse innovation. According to Robbert, “The lab can be used to do experiments with, or without tenants in a special test environment where we can truly put vendor solutions to the test and see if they work or not.”

With the physical also comes a virtual lab, since some experiments just can’t be done in a warehouse – things like blockchain, where space isn’t necessarily needed. “It’s the same for BIM, or creating a digital twin of a warehouse. Tests like these don't need a physical environment, so we put them in our virtual lab space. But the two are totally aligned and driven by the same team.” The physical lab in San Leandro and the Global Virtual lab allows for experiments to be internally initiated on- and offsite, with tenants and vendors – providing the means to investigate all the interesting opportunities available, what will fuel future growth and continue to help increase our tenants competitive position. This way Prologis stays ahead of what’s next.

If you would like to find out more about Prologis and innovation, please contact Robbert Heekelaar.