Mobile navigation application
At Ford Motor Company's Smart Mobility & Autonomous Vehicles Division, I had the privilege of delving into the intricate world of vehicle routing. By addressing some of the most complex challenges in this domain, I designed, developed, and fine-tuned custom solvers. This involved leveraging a combination of heuristics, such as simulated annealing, genetic algorithms, and dynamic programming, as well as mathematical linear and integer programming. These techniques were applied across a myriad of industries, from grocery delivery for retail giants like Walmart to autonomous pizza delivery pilots with Domino's Pizza.
Our team's work was a blend of technological innovation and practical application. Leading a discrete event simulation team, we not only built groundbreaking algorithms but also evaluated their performance in real-world scenarios. We made it possible to determine the optimal fleet size for various markets, run potential scenarios, and plan effective market entry strategies. It was a holistic approach to solving some of the industry's most pressing challenges.
Engineered a breakthrough in real-time VRP algorithms, achieving an impressive SLA of 1.5 seconds.
Surpassed Google OR-tools in benchmarks for pickup-dropoff VRP applications.
Orchestrated successful collaborations with renowned names such as Lyft, John Hopkins University, and Advance Auto Parts.
The objective of our project was multi-faceted. At its core, it was about optimizing vehicle routing, a challenge that holds profound implications for various industries. Whether it was ensuring a customer receives their grocery order within the promised window or streamlining the logistics for a campus transportation service, our solutions aimed to make transportation more efficient and reliable.
Working with brands such as Walmart, Argo AI, and Domino's Pizza, our endeavors spanned a vast array of use cases. From non-emergency medical transportation with GoRide Health to autonomous vehicle collaborations in Miami and Austin, our project was a testament to the adaptability and robustness of our solutions.
Our achievements in this project weren't just about creating algorithms but about redefining what's possible in vehicle routing.
Established new industry standards with real-time VRP algorithms (SLA 1.5 seconds).
Led a discrete event simulation team, pioneering tools for solver performance measurement.
Secured successful partnerships with diverse brands, from retail giants to ride-hailing services.
Enhanced fleet-sizing analysis capabilities, facilitating better decision-making for market entries.
The project commenced with the recognition of the inefficiencies in existing vehicle routing algorithms. Partnering with various stakeholders, we identified key areas of concern and crafted a comprehensive strategy that combined technological innovation with real-world practicality.
User requirements gathering
Code
Our approach was two-fold. The first phase focused on the development of custom solvers. By harnessing the power of heuristics and mathematical programming, we crafted algorithms tailored to diverse industry requirements. Continuous iteration and feedback loops ensured our solvers were not just innovative but also precise.
In the second phase, we ventured beyond development. Leading a discrete event simulation team, our goal was to measure, evaluate, and refine. This rigorous testing regime allowed us to optimize our algorithms for real-world scenarios, ensuring they weren't just fast but also reliable.
The outcome was a series of state-of-the-art vehicle routing algorithms that not only met but often surpassed industry benchmarks. From grocery delivery to ride-hailing services, our solutions redefined efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, our discrete event simulator served as a potent tool, offering invaluable insights into fleet-sizing and market strategies.
Profit outcomes
"Our collaboration with the Ford Motor Company's team was transformative. Their innovative approach to vehicle routing has redefined our operations, leading to enhanced efficiency and customer satisfaction. Truly groundbreaking work!" - M.J., CEO, GoRide Health