Vikram Dua

CEO, LSIWorld

Automated Vehicles in Logistics

According to American Truck Association, by 2025, the logistic industry might witness a shortage of as many as 174,500 drivers due to the present workforce which is on its way to getting retired and the difficulty of attracting young drivers to this industry. Therefore, many have debated autonomous vehicles promises a significant role in the coming years of logistics. Meanwhile, in the times of the pandemic, rise of e-commerce due to increased demands and shorter delivery times have become other reasons for logistic owners to switch to the autonomous vehicles to overcome restrictions on hours of service and capital utilization.

Automation has already made big changes in the manufacturing industry with its automated machinery, robots, AI and machine learning technology. Since human errors are the reason for 94% of car accidents worldwide, it is not hard to conclude that, with automation in logistics, the possibilities of human-made mistakes can be reduced much efficiently and the job can be done in lesser time and effort.

Automated Vehicles

Earlier, the self-driven vehicles were just in dreams and seemed to be a part of a fiction or any other futuristic world. But recently, it has been made possible due to the technology and AI prevailing in today’s world. The idea of autonomous vehicles has become a viable reality.

The renown Tesla’s self-aware cars can be counted as one of the firsts in this autonomous industry. Now, the independent taxis have been introduced in Tokyo. However, for safety reasons, a driver must be present to oversee the driving process and take control from time to time, as of now.

Automation in Logistic Industry

Different logistic industries are investing the possibilities of such automated vehicles worldwide. Many are still debating if such technology would also prevail in the air and/or the sea shipments. Some think that the automated vehicles would be easier in the highways since the traffic is usually straightforward, unlike that in the cities.

Many are still debating if introducing self-driven trucks would benefit the logistic industry or not. Though it will help decrease the number of the accidents and improve the performances of the industry, altogether, some still consider it to be unsafe. Furthermore, some are also debating that introducing the autonomous vehicles into the industry will help decrease as much as 45% of the maintenance cost, which will revolutionize the whole industry.

Automated vehicles are expected to revolutionize the logistic industry by

• Being highly reliable
• Improving performance
• Reducing costs
• Reducing man-made mistakes
• Cost effective

Technology used in Autonomous Trucks

Machine Learning technology has machines with the nature to learn and act like humans do. Machine learning plays a huge part in the development of the self-driven vehicles. The vehicles with machine learning ability are given the perceptive abilities regarding –

• Climate Conditions
• Expected Hurdles
• Traffic Signals
• All the other things that people need to consider while driving

Machine Learning plays a huge role in assisting self-driven vehicles in making choices and moves they make.

How do Autonomous Trucks Work?

Many think that self-driven cars and truck include the same technology and the mechanisms, whereas, it is false. The mechanism for self-driven cars and trucks are very different. An autonomous truck needs to perform more complex actions; therefore, they require more complex and advanced technology and mechanisms. Some factors include –

• Their weight
• Size
• Crosswinds
• Air-powered brakes
• Trailer hitches

Future of the Autonomous Vehicles

Many logistics businesses have already begun to employ massive self-driving trucks that transport goods. Some truck manufacturers have recently made breakthroughs in the development of the first fully self-driving heavy-duty freight vehicles.

The Mercedes-Benz version of the semi-autonomous truck is expected to debut in 2025. This model will not completely replace the driver, but it will allow them to accomplish other things inside the vehicle. However, regulatory approval and legislative modifications will also be required for the introduction of such autonomous vehicles into the logistics sector.

Given the ever-changing nature of technology, it is safe to assume that automated vehicles will turn the logistics world upside down with its ground-breaking ideas and discoveries. LSI World believes machine-to-machine work, in which human-manned positions are automated, is the true and successful future. We are working on providing the best, unparalleled services to our customers with facilities which are of top-notch quality. With the advancement of technology in every business, the day will not be far away when every human brain will be well-equipped and advanced to handle any technical challenge. And, we, at LSI World, are ready to embrace the possibility of changes that automated vehicles have yet to bring to us.