5 Innovative Technologies Transforming The Logistics And Shipping Industry
The logistics and shipping industry is a wide market, estimated to be worth more than $4 trillion worldwide, affecting an extensive range of business sectors from e-commerce to fashion, manufacturing, and high-tech. As old processes begin to shift to meet the modern demands, logistics and executives alike should understand that these five technologies are transforming the overall logistics industry.
Automation
Automation uses data-driven software to improve operational efficiency in machines, offers several solutions for the logistics sector – from advance package labeling to streamlining warehouse sorting systems. Holland’s Port of Rotterdam is famous for opting for this technology. The port’s fully-automated container terminals use computer-programmed stacking cranes to unload the cargo. This not only helps to improve the handling performance but reduces the label cost.
Drones
Drones play an imperative role in the logistics and shipping industry, most notably in their predicted ability to coordinate new forms of express consumer delivery. Drones have an immediate impact on the ability to deliver products, both to dense, congested urban areas that would benefit from fewer cars on the road and rural locations. Worldwide companies and setups alike are willing to inaugurate themselves as early adopters of this advanced technology.
Wearable Technology
Wearable technology could soon become a standard ‘must-have’ in the logistics industry. One success story comes from German logistics company DHL, which carried out a pilot project at its warehouse to know the ability of wearable technology to enhance speed and reduce human error in warehouse order picking procedure.
Robotics
Robots, unlike automated industry, are specially designed to perform several tasks at once, making their applications in the logistics sector virtually endless. This is accurate for e-commerce operations, which demands an immerse level of efficiency and speed to meet the rapid growth of online sales.
Self-driving Vehicles
Logistics and shipping companies have been remarkably successful in the early adoption of self-driving vehicle technologies, thanks in part to the low regulations and controllable testing environments afforded by specs like storerooms and shipping yards. As a result, many logistics operations currently employ self-driven vehicles.