"Our job is to keep changing what's possible. That means using imagination to address needs that others haven't anticipated - or maybe never thought could be met. FedEx was founded on this ability, and we set up the lab to support innovation by exploring emerging technologies and ideas that might be applied anywhere from two years to much farther into the future.

"Within our portfolios, we're working with mobile technologies, biometrics and video object recognition, as a few examples. Some of the applications are operationally driven; others are more customer-focused. Ultimately, they're all designed to contribute to the customer experience. One innovation we're piloting now is packaging with sensors that continually monitor temperature, humidity, speed and light - factors that are critical for certain types of shipments. Advanced as it sounds, it goes back to our idea that 'the information about the package is as important as the package itself.' This important principle has driven FedEx from the beginning."

- Miley Ainsworth, Director,
Innovation and Scanning Technology,
FedEx Innovation Lab