Unilode was recognised for its Bluetooth 5.0 ULD tracking solution, receiving $20,000 to develop the innovation.
The concept will allow customers to track location and transmit status updates on the temperature, light, shock exposure and humidity of a ULD and its contents.
"One of the biggest growth areas in air cargo is special handling items like time- and temperature-sensitive payloads. Customers for these products want to know where these items are, and their condition, at any time during their transport. Unilode's tracking innovation will make this a reality. I congratulate the company on their achievement and use of data to drive improvements in operational quality," said Glyn Hughes, IATA's Global Head of Cargo.
"Unilode is extremely proud to have won the IATA Air Cargo Innovation Award with its digital transformation programme, which will improve control, visibility, transparency, accuracy and safety in the air cargo supply chain with a breakthrough end-to-end solution. Unilode's aim is to deliver enhanced value to various stakeholders including airlines, ground handlers, shippers and freight forwarders to solve common issues relating to ULDs and cargo and is looking forward to continuing the development and roll-out of its award-winning digitalisation program," said Benoît Dumont, Unilode's CEO.
Unilode’s solution was shortlisted from 56 entries, together with two other finalists, Air New Zealand & AEROTUF, with a thermal ULD solution, and SITA, Safran & CHAMP's Smart ULD, both of whom received US$2,500 as runners up.