FRONTIERS

Future Research Opportunities in New Technologies Investigated by Entrepreneurs, Researchers & Students

Program Outline

Early stage innovations, pilot projects and ideas that need expert leaders in cutting-edge disciplines to overcome internal challenges to execution at FedEx are eligible for this program. Utilizing faculty and students, the FedEx Institute of Technology uses research to solve big challenges facing FedEx. Launched in 2021 and working with FedEx leadership to build on a core of innovation and collaboration, the FRONTIERS program enables emerging tech research engagement that aligns with FedEx goals and priorities in major areas as outlined in the FedEx Investor Report and/or with direct engagement for other requested areas. This program directly supports FedEx’s innovation agenda by having faculty-led teams of UofM students tackle specific challenges for FedEx team members, while also creating a large-scale, sustainable ecosystem for the development, recruitment and retention of top talent.

Program Outcomes

Executed deliverable(s) defined by FedEx collaborator
Direct engagement with researchers at the cutting-edge of applied innovation
Cultivation of emerging tech workforce pipeline for company and UofM students
Solving challenges for FedEx in critical areas

Aligned Efforts

Programming focused on each topic will be developed by FIT staff to encourage community engagement around highlighted topics (hackathons, tech talks, etc)

Team Composition

1-3 Faculty Members, 3-5 students, FedEx SMEs

Program Length:

Six months - one year

Programmatic Details

FedEx FRONTIERS will focus on emerging technologies in five major areas outlined in FedEx Investor Report (or other topics as requested):

Blockchain
Automation/Cybersecurity & artificial intelligence
Data-driven decision-making & analytics
E-Commerce & analytics
Alternative energy & fleet electrification

Deliverables will be in one of four main types, but may be modified on need:

White Paper(s)
Alpha Prototype (hardware or software)
Initial study or data analysis
Recommendations for best practices

Student teams will be interdisciplinary and respond comprehensively to the needs of FedEx, and all students will be approved for up to one (1) course of CEU

Company will have the opportunity to hire these students

Reporting requirements will be developed in conjunction with FedEx SMEs to ensure alignment with goals and outcomes identified by FedEx VPs

Faculty will be provided templates and guidelines for initial, midterm, or final reports as requested by FedEx

Faculty leads will be responsible for cultivating community around projects and participating in programming developed by FIT teams, in addition to executing work in alignment with the FedEx project as outlined in the statement of work (SOW)

Contact: Rami Lotay
rslotay@memphis.edu
901-678-1041