Avery Dennison invests US$75M in Wiliot to scale physical AI for smarter packaging, logistics

USA – Avery Dennison has announced a US$75 million minority investment in Wiliot, positioning itself as the preferred inlay design, manufacturing, and commercial partner to scale Physical AI for supply chains across retail, logistics, and food.

The investment reflects Avery Dennison’s commitment to expanding its portfolio of sensor technologies and solutions. 

As part of the deal, Avery Dennison will receive a seat on Wiliot’s Board of Directors, building on its existing Board Observer role.

Complementary Technologies for Enhanced Visibility

Francisco Melo, president of intelligent labels technologies and digital solutions for Avery Dennison, stated that passive Bluetooth Low-Energy is a complementary technology to RFID, increasing the total addressable market and allowing the company to provide a broader set of solutions for improved visibility and condition monitoring for customers. 

He noted that BLE unlocks important data sets not possible before and helps meet growing market demands to create value by connecting the physical and digital worlds.

Wiliot’s technology leverages battery-free Bluetooth sensors that transmit data to the cloud, where it is processed using artificial intelligence and machine learning models. 

This enables real-time condition monitoring, inventory intelligence, and workflow optimization. 

Tal Tamir, co-founder and CEO of Wiliot, said that Avery Dennison is a global leader in digital identification solutions and the premier partner for Wiliot at the scale required to realize accelerating demand. 

He added that the investment and growing partnership are transformational for the adoption of Physical AI.

Implications for Packaging and Logistics

Physical AI brings intelligence to everyday packaging. With battery-free sensors embedded in labels, consumer goods can signal their location, temperature history, and handling conditions without manual scanning. 

This capability is especially valuable for perishable goods, pharmaceuticals, and high-value items, where a break in the cold chain or rough handling can ruin products.

For logistics providers, the technology automates shipment verification, tracks reusable assets, and provides continuous visibility across warehouses and vehicles. 

By integrating Wiliot’s platform with existing enterprise systems, companies can reduce waste, improve inventory accuracy, and respond to issues in real time.

Connecting the Physical and Digital Worlds

Building on its RFID expertise and leveraging Wiliot’s technology, Avery Dennison aims to solve complex supply chain challenges through complementary sensing technologies. 

As businesses turn to AI to automate processes and drive efficient decision-making, the demand for accurate, real-time data from sensor technologies continues to grow. 

This investment positions both companies to meet that demand while advancing a more transparent, connected, and intelligent world.

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