Real-Time IoT Container Monitoring System

A logistics operator had no way to monitor what was actually happening inside cargo containers during transit. Their existing system only tracked GPS location there was no visibility into cargo temperature, liquid levels, or shock events along the route.

Perishable goods, frozen supply chain, and liquid shipments require continuous temperature logging throughout transit to meet compliance standards. However, no existing solution was capable of lasting the full 90-day shipping cycle on a single charge, making reliable long-term monitoring a significant challenge.

Built as a compact, battery-powered IoT device and mounted directly inside the container, the system uses multiple sensors to monitor cargo condition throughout the entire shipping journey. A load cell with a signal amplifier measures cargo weight and liquid levels, while a PT100 RTD sensor continuously logs temperature to maintain cold chain compliance. A 3-axis MEMS accelerometer records any shock, vibration, or tilt events during transit, keeping a full log of handling conditions.

At depot and warehouse stops, the device syncs data to the cloud over WiFi, while BLE allows for quick local readout on-site. A high-capacity lithium battery pack with duty-cycle power management keeps the device running for up to 90 days on a single charge. All data is available through a web-based logistics portal, displaying per-shipment temperature logs, weight records, shock events, and compliance reports for every shipment.