What it does
M.A.S.H is the LEGO for logistics. An automated sorting system that replaces rigid infrastructure with a click-fit system. It enables fast, scalable flow, reducing cost and setup time across logistics, retail, manufacturing, waste management, etc.
Your inspiration
As interns at DHL, we were invited to observe every part of their operations. On the sorting floor, we saw how even a global logistics leader could feel the strain during peak hours when it comes to cramped spaces: urgent shipments were delayed simply because the system couldn’t stretch any further. That got us thinking. If it’s this hard for DHL, what must it be like for small businesses without the space, capital, or infrastructure? MASH started as a solution for one warehouse, but it grew into something more: a modular, reconfigurable tool that helps growing teams scale on their own terms, without breaking under pressure.
How it works
M.A.S.H. works through a system of modular square units that connect magnetically, allowing users to create custom layouts based on their available space and sorting needs. Each unit contains four motorized wheels set at 45 degrees, controlled by a microcontroller, enabling smooth, omnidirectional movement. A webcam mounted above scans incoming package labels, and AI software powered by Google Cloud Vision reads barcodes or QR codes to determine each parcel’s destination. Based on this data, the system coordinates the movement of individual units to guide parcels to the correct bins. This removes the need for fixed conveyor belts, which lowers both setup and maintenance costs. The modular architecture also makes the system fully scalable, so businesses can start with just a few units and expand as they grow. M.A.S.H leverages real-time data processing, AI vision, and decentralized control to adapt to changing layouts and volumes.
Design process
We had to completely rethink how logistics systems function, starting from a blank slate. The biggest constraint, and the one that shaped every decision, was size. Our answer was a novel wheel-vectoring mechanism paired with a modular design. Each unit is self-contained and connects magnetically, letting users arrange them in any layout that fits their space and sorting needs. Fixing the wheels at 45° enabled low-wear lateral parcel movement. But modularity introduced a challenge: wheel alignment. Traditional systems didn’t face this because their layouts were fixed. For us, the question was how to maintain smooth parcel flow when each unit could be rotated, rearranged, or replaced. That led to our biggest breakthrough: arranging square modules in an alternating “X” and “O” pattern. This ensured reliable movement regardless of layout while preserving the flexibility we aimed for. Early designs lived in sketches and notes, so we validated them with SolidWorks simulations and FEA analyses. Once confident, we sourced components locally and built a prototype of three modules in an X-O-X layout. Each module is powered by four motors, coordinated through Arduino and relay networks, a compact, customizable sorting platform built for constrained environments.
How it is different
1. Offset‑angle wheel modules vs. belts: By fixing each wheel at 45° and eliminating conveyor belts, we cut moving‑part count by over 30% cutting costs overall, and raising lifespan. 2. True non‑linear magnetic modularity: Each 50 cm square unit houses four wheels, letting users snap together straight, curved or custom footprints to fit any warehouse layout, capabilities missing in other commercial solutions such as US 11 130 643’s linear belt modules. 3. Embedded AI‑aided identification: We combine IR sensing and cloud‑OCR for real‑time waybill reading. No prior art fuses wheel‑vectoring with in‑hub AI recognition. 4. Hot‑swap sensor ecosystem: Each module includes plug‑and‑play sensor bays, so users can mix sensors without retooling. An agricultural partner, for example, can integrate moisture, RGB and hyperspectral modules in minutes, to sort saplings, demonstrating flexibility unseen in existing sorters.
Future plans
Our vision with M.A.S.H quite simply is to democratize automation, and to do that we are focused on refining the technology and expanding its reach. We’re enhancing the prototype with modular sensors for weight, shape, and material detection, along with a mechanism to separate stacked items. On the business front, we plan to pilot with small logistics firms, offering a compact, cost-effective solution, especially in regions where automation is limited by cost or infrastructure. In parallel, we are pursuing partnerships with local distributors and government-backed innovation programs to accelerate adoption and unlock new growth opportunities.
Awards
We were honored to receive Gold Medals at both the inaugural Rising Innovators Award at Web Summit Doha 2025 and ITEX 2025, hosted by the Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS). Following this, we secured an 18,000 USD/~66,000 AED grant (MME03-1226-210042) from QNRF to pursue a patent.
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