MotionMiners recognised for data-driven approach to air cargo operations
MotionMiners GmbH has been named the winner of the Lufthansa Cargo Innovation Award 2026, after impressing the jury with its Motion-Mining technology, which combines wearable devices, sensors and AI-powered data analysis to automatically capture and assess manual work processes.
The Innovation Pitches were launched in 2025 by startup accelerator HAUS61 and returned this year as part of the Air Cargo Conference 2026.
Frank Bauer, Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa Cargo, was among the members of the award jury. The prize was presented by Heike Wörner, Head of Business Development at Lufthansa Cargo, to Christoph Dorra, Sales Team Lead at MotionMiners.
“People, technology, and complex operational processes are closely interconnected in air cargo. MotionMiners has convincingly demonstrated how modern sensor technology can provide transparency into real-world processes within a very short time while taking local conditions into account. In addition to its potential to improve efficiency and ergonomics, the solution’s high level of employee acceptance was particularly compelling to the jury. This combination of rapid implementation, reliable data, and close alignment with operational realities makes the solution especially relevant to air cargo,” said Wörner.
Around 30 logistics startups applied to take part in the Innovation Pitch, with eight ultimately selected as finalists. They presented their solutions live at the Air Cargo Conference in front of the jury and an audience of industry professionals.
MotionMiners emerged as the winner with an approach focused on combining data-based process optimisation with more ergonomic working methods.
“Air cargo is a highly relevant growth market for MotionMiners. Handling involves numerous complex and labor-intensive processes where our technology can identify concrete opportunities for improvement, from walking and driving routes to waiting times and ergonomic strain. The Lufthansa Cargo Innovation Award provides a strong starting point for us to establish ourselves in the industry,” said Dorra.
Sensors reveal inefficiencies across manual operations
The technology from MotionMiners is based on temporarily equipping employees and material handling equipment with sensors during the analysis process. Recorded activities can also be linked to a particular location using beacon transmitters.
The collected data is then processed anonymously in the MotionMiners Process Intelligence platform in the web. This helps companies identify time-consuming process steps, unnecessary travel, waiting times and sources of ergonomic strain.
The system can also provide insight into equipment utilization, empty trips and material flows for the material handling equipment.
MotionMiners provides the technology within the framework of consulting projects and as a licensing model for companies to carry out their own process analyzes.
With its success at the Lufthansa Cargo Innovation Award 2026, the company is underlining the increasing importance of data-driven process analysis for the optimization of complex air cargo and logistics operations. MotionMiners combined rapid deployment, operational data and a focus on employee ergonomics to show how sensor technology and artificial intelligence can be applied to practical challenges within cargo handling.
