Press release —
MotionMiners wins the Lufthansa Cargo Innovation Award 2026
MotionMiners GmbH has been named the winner of the Lufthansa Cargo Innovation Award 2026. The technology company impressed the jury with its Motion-Mining technology, which uses wearables, sensors, and AI-powered data analysis to automatically capture and evaluate manual work processes. The Innovation Pitches were launched by startup accelerator HAUS61 in 2025 and were held again as part of this year’s Air Cargo Conference 2026.
Frank Bauer, Chief Operating Officer of Lufthansa Cargo, served as a member of the award jury. The award 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.
A total of around 30 logistics startups applied to participate in the Innovation Pitch. Eight were selected as finalists and presented their solutions live at the Air Cargo Conference before the jury and an audience of industry professionals. MotionMiners prevailed with a practical approach that combines data-driven process optimization with more ergonomic workflows.
“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.
Sensor technology provides transparency into manual processes
For the analysis, employees and material handling equipment are temporarily fitted with sensors. Beacon transmitters also enable the captured activities to be assigned to specific locations. The data is analyzed anonymously on the web-based MotionMiners Process Intelligence platform. This makes it possible to identify time-consuming process steps, unnecessary travel, waiting times, and ergonomic strain. For material handling equipment, the analysis can also examine utilization, empty trips, and material flows. MotionMiners offers its technology both through consulting projects and under a licensing model that enables companies to conduct their own analyses.
By winning the Lufthansa Cargo Innovation Award, MotionMiners highlights the importance of data-driven process analysis in advancing complex air cargo and logistics operations.
About MotionMiners
MotionMiners GmbH, headquartered in Dortmund, Germany, develops technologies for the automated analysis of manual work processes. Founded in 2017, the company combines wearable sensors and other hardware components with its web-based MotionMiners Process Intelligence software. The solution anonymously captures and analyzes movement and process data from employees and vehicles, revealing opportunities to improve efficiency and ergonomics. Its technology is used in industries including logistics, manufacturing, automotive, and retail. The company is also exploring how robotic systems can benefit from knowledge of manual work processes.
Website: https://www.motionminers.com/
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Lufthansa Cargo
Lufthansa Cargo is one of the world's leading cargo airlines and part of the Lufthansa Group, Europe's largest airline group. Through its five cargo hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Brussels, Vienna and Rome, the airfreight specialist transports an average of 2,500 tons of freight per day. This is based on a strong and reliable airport-to-airport network that covers some 350 destinations in more than 100 countries. Lufthansa Cargo markets the cargo capacities of the passenger aircraft of Lufthansa Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Discover Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa City Airlines and SunExpress, as well as its own freighter fleet of 18 Boeing 777F and four Airbus A321F. In addition, some 300 trucks operate daily under a Lufthansa Cargo flight number. Together with its subsidiaries, Lufthansa Cargo offers customized, fast and efficient logistics solutions along the entire supply chain. In this way, the company fulfills its mission "Enabling Global Business" and connects markets and trading partners worldwide. Innovative technologies and investments in sustainability play a central role. In addition to a modern fleet and the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), the focus is on continuous optimization of flight operations. In 2025, the company generated revenues of 3.40 billion euros and a transport performance of 9.10 billion freight tonne-kilometers. It currently employs approximately 4,300 people worldwide.
