Aug. 8, 2025

AI in Supply Chain: Last Mile Delivery, Logistics and Supply Chain Management | Richard Savoie

In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin speaks with Richard Savoie, co-founder and CEO of Adiona Tech, about how AI is transforming supply chain management, last-mile delivery optimization, and logistics efficiency.

Richard shares how a personal observation sparked Adiona’s journey, eventually leading to a platform that helps large enterprises cut costs, reduce carbon emissions, and improve delivery performance. He explains why 53% of delivery costs and emissions occur in the last mile and reveals the surprising fact that many commercial fleets operate 40% empty.

The conversation dives into how AI, simulation modeling, and predictive analytics are used to automate route planning, consolidate fleets, and improve operational efficiency, while also enabling organizations to transition to electric vehicles and more sustainable logistics practices. Richard discusses the role of agentic AI, the potential of quantum computing in route optimization, and the importance of focusing on high-impact, scalable solutions rather than chasing every edge case.

Along the way, Richard shares real-world success stories from clients like Australia Post and Coca-Cola, insights into overcoming technical and cultural barriers, and his entrepreneurial lessons on solving problems people are willing to pay for and investing in branding from day one.

Whether you’re in logistics, supply chain, or just curious about how technology is reshaping how goods move around the world, this episode delivers practical insights and a thought-provoking look at the future of sustainable, AI-powered logistics.

Show Notes

Richard Savoie is an engineer, AI innovator, and the CEO of Adiona Tech, a company at the forefront of logistics and supply chain technology. With a background in manufacturing and hardware design, Richard brings a systems-thinking approach to solving high-impact challenges in transportation. His company helps large enterprises reduce delivery costs and emissions through advanced optimization algorithms and machine learning. Under his leadership, Adiona has pioneered solutions in last-mile delivery optimization, EV fleet planning, and sustainable supply chain management. Richard is also a strong advocate for using AI responsibly and effectively to build greener, more efficient infrastructure worldwide.

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Takeaways & Insights

53% of delivery costs and emissions happen in the last mile.
Most commercial delivery vehicles are running 40% empty.
AI is just one tool — it works best when combined with traditional optimization and constraint-based algorithms.
Adiona focuses on enterprise fleets because the sustainability impact compounds at scale.
Agentic AI will allow us to dynamically prioritize deliveries, even mid-route.
Simulation modeling is now essential for planning in a volatile world, especially with tariffs, EV rollouts, and shifting supply chains.
Adiona built the first EV routing engine in logistics, but adoption is still slow in some regions.
You may love your idea, but if no one will pay for it, it’s not a business.
Cutting emissions is not just a feel-good goal - it’s a cost-saving opportunity.
Let humans solve the edge cases, and let AI handle the repetitive work.