The latest innovation and technology updates have been influencing many industries in one way or other. Likewise, logistics sector too is being smitten by the latest technological advancements as many industries have started using technologies extensively & dominantly. Electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, drone, vehicle tracking systems, autonomous robots seem to be only the start of the future that will shape the logistics sector.

In this blog we will discuss about how automation technology will help improve the trends in logistics

Technologies that will influence logistics

Robotics

Robotics has changed the working of many industries & sectors. Logistics is no far from being influenced by the use of robotics. Giants like Amazon have started deploying robots in logistics and other functions of warehouse like picking and packing. With the new innovation of Cobots which are collaborative robots that can work in conjunction with Internet of Things (IoT), the logistics work has been revolutionising as they can operate 3 times faster than ordinary robots. Robots are being deployed increasingly for picking, packaging, and delivering through the logistics.

Internet of Things

IoT is a revolutionary technology that allows devices to communicate with each other within an existing internet infrastructure without human intervention. IoT is already used in logistics for monitoring people and tools, providing notifications to managers regarding the on-site activities including performance of assets, status of inventory, flow of materials, working status of employees, energy consumption, etc. It can even enhance the in-transit visibility that gives more control to the managers. This technology application will increase speed, decrease waste and reduce overall costs. Thus IoT will play a crucial role in the future of logistics.

Telematics & OBD II

TELEMATICS is a method of monitoring vehicles like cars, trucks, heavy equipments by using GPS and onboard diagnostics. Telematics has been a recent advancement that has secured & eased logistical fleet operations. OBD devices have sensors that provide vehicle’s data like position, speed, trip distance/time, idling, harsh braking and driving, seat belt, fuel consumption, vehicle faults, battery voltage, and other engine data. This data can be decisive in the fleet operations as it allows to assess fleets while they are in transit, detect driver’s behaviour, know exact location of vehicles, avoid delay in delivery, and many such other benefits. The data recorded from these systems can be beneficial in analysing fleet performance and take better business decisions

Artificial Intelligence

The other game changer in the history of technology has been AI. Artificial Intelligence is the ability of a machine or a combination of different machines to make intelligent decisions based on the data available to them. With the increase of E commerce companies, the use of AI has also been on rise to automate different processes like sorting & packages with the help of robots. The robots are programmed to pack goods and sort it based on the delivery requirements. In AI, machines learn by themselves in a process called machine learning.

3D Printing

What looked like an imagination has turned into a reality. Experts believe that in the coming years companies in logistics will use this technology for the replacement of parts. With the help of this originally developed for producing prototype technology and some new technologies, production techniques will be revolutionised, making the process faster and agile. The 3D printed products can be just as strong and stay lighter at the same time while reducing wastage.

Drone Delivery

Recently Amazon caught the attention with its drone delivery testing. Drone delivery eliminates the process of logistics including reducing the last mile delivery expenses. Its major advantage is time reduced in delivery due to traffic, infrastructure, and geographical conditions especially in remote places. It also reduces pollution, thereby maintaining the air quality. Drone delivery could make deliveries much faster, accurate & easier.

Driverless Vehicle

Amongst the major transformations that the supply chain industry is experiencing, driverless vehicles is one of the significant one. Driverless vehicles are vehicles driven without human efforts and navigate themselves. Though the technology hasn’t been officially used commercially on a large scale considering many risks factors associated, it could benefit the industry with reduction in transportation costs. Some believe that the technology has a long way to come in commercially while some believe it could be nearer than thought.

Though some technologies are currently being used while some will be realised gradually soon, these technologies have a solid impact along with those that will be developed in the future. Companies need to take a note of this and start using the technologies to gather advantage on competitors. These technologies will also help companies in realising the demands of customers and also help them analyse operational issues & avoid them well in advance.