Much like Game of Thrones’ worst-kept secret regarding Jon Snow’s fate, it’s no surprise that emerging technology will bring major changes to the supply chain in the coming years. From driverless trucks to blockchain, we’re breaking down the biggest supply chain innovations on the horizon.
Here are Seven Kingdoms..er..trends to watch:
1. Drone Delivery. It’s a raven…it’s a dragon…no, it’s a drone! Industry experts have been talking about commercial use of drones for the delivery of goods for a few years now, and the technology behind them is quickly improving. Amazon began testing its Prime Air delivery service early this year—a service they say will “safely get packages to customers in 30 minutes or less using small unmanned aerial vehicles”—no blood magic necessary. Though there are several safety concerns and FAA restrictions to overcome before these vehicles become ubiquitous, now is the time to start thinking about how drones will affect the future of logistics. While these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) won’t completely replace traditional over-the-road transportation, they will provide a new mode for last-mile package delivery—which will be especially useful in high-traffic or remote areas.
2. Driverless Trucks. Though the thought of seeing a truck rolling down the highway with no driver is almost as eerie as encountering a White Walker, this may be a common sight in the not-so-distant future. A convoy of self-driving trucks recently made a successful trip across Europe, proving that the technology is nearly ready, and that the remaining barriers are largely regulatory. Efficiency gains from this new technology will be huge, and could alleviate the ongoing driver shortage problem the industry is facing (TechCrunch).
While autonomous vehicles aren’t ready for prime-time yet, many trucks are becoming smarter—acting as mobile computers. As trucking companies continue to grapple with the driver shortage over the next few years, self-driving features may help them attract and retain more drivers. This type of technology would significantly reduce the burden on a human driver—particularly on those grueling long-haul shifts. Acting as their own personal Night’s Watch, self-correcting sensors in trucks could help drivers stay awake and avoid mistakes (Huffington Post).
3. Enhanced In-Transit Visibility. In the Game of Supply Chain Management, there are many players and moving parts to keep track of. Cloud-based GPS and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technologies are becoming more and more sophisticated, which will give supply chain managers greater visibility into product location and condition. For example, by putting an RFID chip in a pallet, and integrating that chip with a device placed in a vehicle, the device can transmit useful data about that pallet—like GPS coordinates or temperature—back to a key stakeholder. Other useful data such as weather or traffic conditions and average speed of driver can also be pulled in. This elevated connectivity gives all parties in the supply chain deeper insight into their shipments (Inbound Logistics). We know a certain Khaleesi who could use an RFID tracker right about now…
4. Warehouse Robots. In the warehouse automation market, autonomous mobile robotics (AMR) technology is making a splash. Especially useful for ecommerce, robots are beginning to assist in order fulfillment in ways that humans cannot. For example, imagine a consumer places an online order for some Valyrian steel or perhaps a rare dragon egg. As soon as that order is submitted, the robot knows exactly where to go in the warehouse to retrieve the items. With the ability to move faster and with more precision than humans, a robot can increase warehouse productivity exponentially and allow workers to focus more on service, less on grunt work (Tech Insider).
5. 3D Printing. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process by which material is laid down in thin layers to form a solid object. Though not yet ready for broad adoption, the technology is advancing quickly, and the cost of 3D printers is dropping. Manufacturers and transportation companies should understand how this trend may affect them, and assess their current high-volume product segments before 3D printing arrives like an army of wildlings.
As the use of 3D printing continues to grow, many products, their parts, and other materials needed to manufacture them will most likely be made locally. In turn, this could reduce or eliminate prior transportation needs. Additionally, fewer production processes and tooling can lead to reduced costs, less inventory, and shorter lead times for manufacturers.
To learn more about 3D printing’s impact on the supply chain, click here.
6. Wearables. Wearable technology is still a nicety for consumers; however, the transportation industry sees significant potential for its use in trucking, particularly as it pertains to driver safety and risk aversion. Wrist pieces (such as Apple Watch), headbands and headsets, and even technology-enabled clothing can offer truck drivers measurable benefits in terms of navigational efficiencies, driver health, and safety precautions, all while communicating data back to fleet managers to give them actionable insights.
We all know that the night is dark and full of terrors. Perhaps the most impactful use for wearables in trucking safety today is monitoring driver fatigue. Hats and headsets equipped with EEG and other biometric sensors monitor the wearer’s brain waves and physiological markers for signs of fatigue, including incidents of microsleep or “headbobs.” Tests are also currently underway for a promising, wrist-worn, sleep tracker that measures fatigue as an impairment much like intoxication. For example, a driver would receive a notification when fatigue levels approach 70%, which is similar to a blood alcohol level of 0.08% (AlertDriving).
To learn more about wearables in trucking, click here.
7. Blockchain. Last, but certainly not least, blockchain (the technology behind the digital asset and payment system Bitcoin) is one of the most important innovations with the potential to transform the supply chain. Let’s call this the Grand Maester of supply chain technology fandom. What is blockchain? It’s a distributed database that holds records of digital data or events in a way that makes them tamper-resistant. While many users may access, inspect, or add to the data, they can’t change or delete it. The original information stays put, leaving a permanent and public information trail, or chain, of transactions (Investopedia).
If blockchain technology allows us to more securely and transparently track all types of transactions, imagine the possibilities it presents across the supply chain. Every time a product changes hands, the transaction could be documented, creating a permanent history of a product, from manufacture to sale. This could dramatically reduce time delays, added costs, and human errors that plague transactions today.
Check out this previous blog post to learn more about blockchain and its applications.
Smart shippers are finding ways to leverage these innovations to become more efficient and strengthen relationships across the supply chain. They’re also partnering with forward-thinking service providers who value transparency and innovation, and understand the potential benefits and roadblocks of new technology.
Need help navigating the ever-changing landscape of logistics? Stick with House Capstone, and you’ll be sitting on the iron throne in no time.