Thailand Post Distribution and SWAT Mobility Collaborate to Drive Sustainability Through AI Innovation in Deliveries

20 July 2022 – Thailand’s leading courier company, Thailand Post Distribution, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) earlier today, with Singapore-based smart mobility firm, SWAT Mobility. The purpose of the MOU is to jointly research the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning in delivery load and route optimisation to drive sustainability.

This partnership between the two market leaders not only exemplifies the strength of cooperation between businesses in Thailand and Singapore, but also the importance of Asia’s growing role in driving the global shift to carbon neutral mobility.  

Mr. Kevin Cheok, Ambassador of Singapore to Thailand, said, “I congratulate SWAT Mobility and Thailand Post Distribution on their new agreement to jointly research the use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to optimise route planning and load utilisation for postal vehicles. This is another good example of companies from Singapore and Thailand working together for mutual benefit. Both countries are longstanding friends and partners. There is much complementarity between us. In this context, I encourage companies from Singapore and Thailand to explore more partnerships and agreements to co-innovate and capture opportunities together. This is especially salient in new areas of growth like sustainability and the digital economy.”

Under the agreement, SWAT Mobility will use its AI-powered system to automate the management of route planning and optimise vehicle load utilisations for Thailand Post Distribution.  It is aimed at putting in place a more efficient planning process that will increase productivity and customer satisfaction, while reducing the number of vehicles used in these deliveries. The MOU was signed today, between Mr. Peera Udomkitsakul, the Chief Executive Officer of Thailand Post Distribution Co., Ltd. (Thailand Post Distribution) and Mr. Arthur Chua, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of SWAT Mobility Pte.Ltd. (SWAT Mobility), at the international exhibition and conference, Future Mobility Asia (FMA) 2022 hosted by the Ministry of Energy, Thailand.

In line with its agenda on sustainability, Thailand Post Distribution is exploring innovative solutions to increase the accessibility and affordability of logistics services for the local community. Mr. Peera Udomkitsakul, CEO of Thailand Post Distribution Co., Ltd. said: “Service improvement and customer satisfaction are our constant priorities. Therefore, we are partnering with SWAT Mobility to incorporate cutting-edge technology for route planning. This complements our ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of our postal transportation system. It also aligns with the transportation management plan that the Post Office is preparing to launch soon, in the form of a ‘transport management platform that provides small farmers or community enterprises with good and affordable transport options’. The goal is to reduce waste from backhaul management as well as energy consumption, to ensure everyone has access to more affordable logistics services.”

Reinforcing its commitment towards helping companies achieve their sustainability goals, the collaboration with Thailand Post Distribution is particularly significant to SWAT Mobility and its vision to “Empower The World To Move With Less”. Mr. Arthur Chua, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of SWAT Mobility, said: “We are excited to be working in close collaboration with one of the largest courier companies in Thailand. This partnership is more than achieving outcomes beyond increased productivity, it is driven by a common desire to create a positive impact through ​​vehicles and mileage reduction. Sustainability and resource-use efficiency are priorities that SWAT actively strives towards with the use of our technology.”

The partnership is part of SWAT Mobility’s plan to grow their presence in the region. Specific to Thailand, SWAT Mobility has progressively secured the interests of key Thai stakeholders in the automotive, manufacturing and FMCG industries, following its expansion into the market in 2021 with the support of Enterprise Singapore.

Both parties look forward to the outcome from this research as the launch pad to operationalising the use of AI technology in Thailand Post Distribution’s long term logistics planning and deliveries.