We’re on the brink of a generative AI revolution that spans countless industries. For an automotive ecosystem ripe for innovation, we’re likely to see generative AI play a crucial role in developing new products and services designed to enhance the driving experience.

The impact that generative AI is set to have on the automotive industry cannot be overstated. Market forecasts suggest that the generative AI in the automotive market size is expected to swell to around $2.105 billion by 2032. This is up from $271m in 2022 and growing at a CAGR of 23.4%.

But what actually is generative AI? The term generative AI stems from the ability of artificial technology to produce different forms of content. This includes text, images, audio, and just about any data from simple user prompts. This means that generative AI can use existing data to create something entirely new to benefit users.

But how will this generative AI boom manifest? And what can drivers expect from this brave new frontier in artificial intelligence? Let’s take a deeper look into how generative AI has the power to change the automotive industry for good.

Refining Autonomous Driving

Crucially, generative AI has the potential to pave the way for the safe rollout of autonomous vehicles (AVs). This is without putting the public at risk while the technology matures.

This is because generative AI can generate images and videos that can be utilized to build true-to-life scenarios. So, autonomous vehicles can learn and adapt to different environments within a controlled setting.

In order to effectively ‘train’ an autonomous vehicle, it’s essential for the AV to tap into vast quantities of sensor data. Generative AI models can help create synthetic data that can reflect real-world circumstances to challenge the intelligence of vehicle response systems.

This can help to remove the necessity of expensive field testing. Plus, it paves the way for more intuitive algorithms to train the decision-making models of AVs.

Transforming the In-Car Experience

The in-car experience is set to radically change with the help of generative AI in modern motors. We’re already seeing navigation systems like Waze utilize generative AI to learn from user preferences and traffic conditions to deliver personalized route recommendations in real-time in a measure that help to improve road safety by keeping drivers content and calm.

Car firms like Mercedes have also sought to explore the potential of mixed reality systems powered by generative AI, which can help bolster the quality of navigation and infotainment.

We could see a better balance between driving and working through generative AI. The technology helps to combine calendar and event scheduling services. It also helps combine them with voice transcription, dictation, and data retrieval to improve productivity when on the go.

Better Production and Safety

One of the most rewarding use cases for generative AI in the automotive industry is design and engineering. Generative AI can help designers and engineers to deliver new concepts. Additionally, they help improve their development cycles and enhance existing designs with the help of intelligent insights.

In practice, generative AI can create intelligent 3D models of vehicles based on simple prompts or a series of rudimentary sketches. This can offer an efficient, time-saving tool to help designers to build more comprehensive concepts. Additionally, it helps them visualize their ideas more effectively.

Crucially, generative AI can also optimize vehicles’ performance and safety by testing various configurations and parameters. According to McKinsey data, this could help reduce R&D timelines for automotive parts by up to 20%.

The utility of configurations to deliver better road safety can continue long after the vehicle has left the production line. Because of the seamless ability of AI systems to autonomously interpret and act on data, generative AI can pave the way for more intelligent diagnostics systems for cars to offer actionable advice for repair work.

For instance, if a generative AI system interprets data suggesting that a chip on a windscreen could impact the view of the driver based on metrics surrounding seat height and rear-view mirror positioning, the system could offer windshield replacement cost comparisons for drivers to take cost-effective action.

Readying for the Next Generation of Motoring

Generative AI is set to revolutionize the automotive industry in several unique ways. This can help to enhance road safety and deliver more personalized experiences for drivers.

The value of generative AI in the automotive market value set to surpass $2 billion by 2032. So, this explosion in machine learning and intelligent insights probably gathers its pace sooner rather than later.

Matters of safety and convenience are being prioritized. The arrival of generative AI in the industry will also likely pave the way for a more sustainable industry. Plus, a stronger future for the rise of autonomy on the roads.

Featured Image Credit: Pexels; Thank you!

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NASA is launching a bold mission to send humans to Mars using nuclear-powered rocket engines. With this innovative technology, we may finally be able to get to Mars in a reasonable amount of time. NASA hopes to reduce the dangers of long-duration spaceflights by working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to create a rocket that uses nuclear propulsion. This article will discuss the potential of nuclear-powered rockets for the future of space travel, as well as the problems they solve.

It takes about seven or eight months for a conventional spacecraft powered by burning liquid fuel to reach Mars. Nuclear rocket engines, however, have the potential to cut that time by at least a third, making the trip more efficient and safer for astronauts. Since the trip takes so much less time, mission planners have more leeway in deciding how long astronauts should spend exploring Mars before returning home. They wouldn’t have to be gone for years if they could finish their mission in a matter of weeks or months. This would help mitigate the mental toll of being separated from loved ones.

Exposure to cosmic radiation is a major concern for astronauts on long-term space missions. Humans can get the radiation exposure that would normally take an entire year on Earth in just one day in space because they are not shielded by the Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field. According to the European Space Agency, astronauts may be subjected to radiation levels 700 times higher than on Earth during Mars missions, where the journey may take several months. The health risks associated with prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation would be reduced if the duration of space travel could be cut in half using nuclear-powered rockets.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is taking the lead in creating a rocket that uses nuclear thermal propulsion. DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations) is a program that plans to use the high heat produced by a fission reactor to convert liquid propellant into a gas. The gas is then directed through a nozzle to provide the spaceship with the necessary thrust. Nuclear thermal propulsion is at least three times as efficient and has greater thrust than conventional chemical rockets, allowing for quicker and more efficient space travel.

There are a number of benefits to using nuclear propulsion for space travel. To begin, nuclear-powered rockets have a smaller fuel footprint because of their increased efficiency. This efficiency boost opens up new avenues for scientific exploration and research by allowing more cargo, equipment, and experiments to be brought aboard. Second, nuclear propulsion permits more rapid travel, decreasing time in space and consequently minimizing risks and difficulties. Additionally, the use of low-enriched uranium as opposed to highly enriched uranium guarantees the continued security of the technology and eliminates any potential for nuclear proliferation.

The testing and development of nuclear rocket engines places a premium on security. Bill Nelson, NASA’s administrator, has stressed the importance of conducting the nuclear rocket engine’s safety tests in space rather than on Earth. The DRACO program is expected to debut its first demonstration as soon as 2027. This landmark will be a huge achievement for space travel and open the door for future manned missions to Mars.

The psychological toll that long-duration spaceflights take on astronauts is also addressed by nuclear propulsion. Isolation and boredom, among other mental effects, can set in after months spent cooped up in a cramped spacecraft. Nuclear-powered rockets help to mitigate these difficulties by cutting down on the time needed to travel to Mars, meaning that astronauts will spend less time cooped up inside their spacecraft and suffering from the psychological effects of isolation.

Nuclear-powered rockets are not a novel idea; the earliest designs for such engines date back to the 1960s. However, progress in nuclear propulsion halted due to public concerns following incidents like the 1979 Three Mile Island accident and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. There is a newfound enthusiasm and political will to investigate and develop renewable energy sources and technologies. Right now is a great time to develop nuclear propulsion to its full potential and break new ground in space travel.

In summary, the development of nuclear-powered rockets through a joint effort between NASA and DARPA is a major step forward in the quest for human missions to Mars. Using nuclear thermal propulsion could drastically improve space travel by shortening journey times and reducing exposure to harmful cosmic rays. While improvements in psychological considerations help alleviate the difficulties of extended space missions, the use of low-enriched uranium helps guarantee the safety of the technology. Thanks to advances in nuclear propulsion technology, the prospects for future space exploration are brighter than ever.

First reported on NBC News

Frequently Asked Questions

What is NASA’s bold mission to Mars using nuclear-powered rocket engines?

NASA is working on a project to send humans to Mars using nuclear-powered rocket engines. These engines, developed in collaboration with DARPA, have the potential to significantly reduce the travel time to Mars and make the journey more efficient and safer for astronauts.

How do nuclear-powered rockets improve the efficiency of the Mars mission?

Nuclear rocket engines can cut the travel time to Mars by at least a third compared to conventional spacecraft powered by burning liquid fuel. This allows mission planners to consider shorter exploration durations on Mars, reducing the psychological toll of being separated from loved ones for extended periods.

What are the benefits of nuclear propulsion for space travel?

Nuclear-powered rockets offer several advantages. They are more efficient, allowing for more cargo, equipment, and experiments to be carried on board. The quicker travel time reduces risks and difficulties associated with long-term space missions. Moreover, the use of low-enriched uranium ensures technology security and eliminates nuclear proliferation concerns.

How does nuclear propulsion help with exposure to cosmic radiation?

Long-term space missions expose astronauts to significant cosmic radiation, which poses health risks. Nuclear-powered rockets’ reduced travel time can cut astronauts’ exposure to cosmic radiation in half, minimizing the associated health hazards.

What is the role of DARPA in the development of nuclear thermal propulsion?

DARPA is leading the development of a rocket named DRACO (Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations), which uses nuclear thermal propulsion. DRACO utilizes a fission reactor to convert liquid propellant into gas, providing the necessary thrust for space travel. This propulsion system is significantly more efficient and powerful than conventional chemical rockets.

When will the first demonstration of nuclear thermal propulsion take place?

The first demonstration of nuclear thermal propulsion, as part of the DRACO program, is expected to occur as soon as 2027. This demonstration will be a crucial milestone in advancing space travel capabilities and paving the way for future manned missions to Mars.

Why was progress in nuclear propulsion halted in the past?

Progress in nuclear propulsion was hindered in the past due to public concerns surrounding nuclear incidents like the 1979 Three Mile Island accident and the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. However, the current focus on renewable energy sources and technologies has renewed enthusiasm for exploring and developing nuclear propulsion for space travel.

What psychological benefits do nuclear-powered rockets offer for astronauts?

Long-duration spaceflights can have adverse psychological effects on astronauts, including isolation and boredom. Nuclear-powered rockets’ ability to shorten travel time to Mars helps mitigate these difficulties, as astronauts spend less time confined in cramped spacecraft.

What are the potential implications of successful nuclear propulsion development for space exploration?

The successful development of nuclear-powered rockets can significantly advance space exploration capabilities. It could lead to more efficient and rapid missions, making distant space destinations more accessible and facilitating ambitious human missions to places like Mars.

How is the joint effort between NASA and DARPA contributing to space exploration?

The collaboration between NASA and DARPA in developing nuclear-powered rocket technology represents a major step forward in the pursuit of human missions to Mars. By combining expertise and resources, the joint effort is accelerating progress in space travel and opening up new possibilities for future exploration beyond Earth.

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

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As the electric vehicle (EV) industry continues to gain momentum, Tesla, one of the leading manufacturers, has found itself in the midst of controversy. Recent reports suggest that Tesla intentionally overinflated the range estimates of its EVs. This revelation has raised eyebrows and sparked debates among industry experts and consumers. In this article, we will delve into the details of the controversy, exploring the allegations, their potential implications, and the broader context of range estimation in the EV industry.

Remember when Reuters said that Tesla has been inflating the range estimates?

According to a report by Reuters, an anonymous source claims that Tesla has been inflating the range estimates of its electric vehicles since around a decade ago. The source reveals that Tesla implemented algorithms to inflate the projections at a full charge, giving the impression of a longer range.

However, once the vehicles reach a 50 percent state of charge, the range estimates become more realistic, ensuring drivers have a better chance of avoiding being stranded. Furthermore, the source alleges that Tesla maintains a 15-mile buffer, allowing the vehicle to continue driving on battery power even after reaching zero charge. It is suggested that these measures were implemented at the behest of Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, to present more favorable range numbers.

In addition to the intentional inflation of range estimates, the Reuters report also claims the existence of a dedicated “Diversion Team” within Tesla. This team’s primary objective is said to be canceling service appointments from customers who express concerns about their vehicles falling short of the misleading range estimates. Each cancellation reportedly saved the company approximately $1,000, as highlighted by a xylophone note played by team members after each successful cancellation. While Tesla has not officially responded to the allegations, such practices, if true, raise ethical concerns regarding the company’s commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction.

Tesla is not the first technology company to face allegations of manipulating product performance metrics. In fact, Apple’s “batterygate” scandal serves as a cautionary tale. In 2017, Apple admitted to intentionally slowing down older iPhone models to preserve battery life and prevent unexpected shutdowns. The company faced significant backlash and legal consequences, eventually agreeing to a settlement of $113 million. Apple’s experience highlights the importance of accurate and transparent performance metrics and the potential legal and reputational risks associated with misleading consumers.

Tesla’s range estimate controversy has not gone unnoticed by regulators worldwide. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compelled Tesla to reduce its range estimates for the 2020 model-year vehicles by an average of 3 percent. This regulatory intervention demonstrates the seriousness of the issue and the need for accurate and reliable information for consumers. Furthermore, earlier this year, Tesla was fined $2.2 million in South Korea for failing to deliver the estimated range of its vehicles in cold weather conditions. Such penalties emphasize the importance of adhering to industry standards and providing accurate information to customers.

To put Tesla’s range estimate controversy into perspective, it is essential to understand the broader context of range estimation in the EV industry. It is common for EVs to display larger range numbers when fully charged, which gradually drop as the battery is depleted, especially during highway driving. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors, including the increased energy consumption of EVs during constant motion and the absence of regenerative braking on highways. In contrast, EVs often achieve longer ranges in city driving, where regenerative braking can provide some return energy.

We can turn to the analysis conducted by EV analytics firm, Recurrent, to evaluate the accuracy of Tesla’s range estimates. Their study compared real-world range data with estimated range figures for various electric vehicles, including the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Bolt, and Hyundai Kona. According to Recurrent’s findings, these vehicles generally had more accurate estimates, with the Hyundai Kona even underestimating its actual range. Such comparisons highlight the importance of manufacturers providing reliable and trustworthy range estimates to empower consumers to make informed decisions.

At the heart of the Tesla range estimate controversy lies the issue of transparency and consumer trust. Accurate and reliable range estimates are crucial for EV owners, as they directly impact their driving experience and ability to plan trips without the fear of running out of charge. By intentionally inflating range projections, Tesla risks eroding consumer trust and damaging its reputation as a leader in the EV industry. Maintaining transparency and providing accurate information should be a priority for all EV manufacturers to build long-term customer loyalty.

The potential consequences of misleading consumers

The allegations surrounding Tesla’s intentional overinflation of range estimates have scrutinized the company. While Tesla has not officially responded to these claims, the controversy highlights the significance of accurate and transparent range information in the EV industry. The example of Apple’s “batterygate” scandal serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of misleading consumers. As regulators and consumers demand greater transparency, it is crucial for EV manufacturers, including Tesla, to prioritize accuracy and build trust through reliable range estimates. Ultimately, a commitment to transparency will benefit consumers and contribute to the EV industry’s sustainable growth.

First reported on The Verge

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the allegations against Tesla regarding its range estimates?

An anonymous source claims that Tesla intentionally overinflated the range estimates of its electric vehicles. Tesla is alleged to have implemented algorithms to show longer ranges at a full charge, while the estimates become more realistic as the battery depletes. It is also suggested that Tesla maintains a 15-mile buffer, allowing the vehicle to continue driving on battery power even after reaching zero charge.

2. Why would Tesla inflate its range estimates?

The source alleges that Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, wanted to present more favorable range numbers to customers, potentially to boost the perceived performance and attractiveness of the vehicles.

3. How did Tesla handle customer concerns about range discrepancies?

According to the report, Tesla had a dedicated “Diversion Team” whose role was to cancel service appointments from customers who expressed concerns about their vehicles falling short of the misleading range estimates. Each cancellation reportedly saved the company approximately $1,000.

4. How has the EV industry responded to Tesla’s range estimate controversy?

The controversy has attracted regulatory attention. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) compelled Tesla to reduce its range estimates for the 2020 model-year vehicles by an average of 3 percent in the United States. Additionally, Tesla faced a fine of $2.2 million in South Korea for failing to deliver the estimated range of its vehicles in cold weather conditions.

5. How does the controversy affect consumer trust and transparency in the EV industry?

The controversy raises concerns about transparency and consumer trust. Accurate and reliable range estimates are essential for EV owners to plan trips and manage their charging needs effectively. By intentionally inflating range projections, Tesla risks eroding consumer trust and damaging its reputation as a leader in the EV industry.

6. How does Tesla’s situation compare to other technology companies’ scandals?

Tesla’s situation is reminiscent of Apple’s “batterygate” scandal in 2017, where Apple admitted to intentionally slowing down older iPhone models. The scandal resulted in legal consequences and a settlement of $113 million. It highlights the importance of providing accurate and transparent information to consumers to avoid potential legal and reputational risks.

7. How does the controversy impact the broader context of range estimation in the EV industry?

The controversy sheds light on the importance of reliable range estimates for EVs. While it is common for EVs to display larger range numbers when fully charged, transparency and accuracy in range estimation are crucial to empower consumers to make informed decisions about their EVs and their driving experiences.

8. What can Tesla and other EV manufacturers do to address the issue?

Tesla and other EV manufacturers should prioritize transparency and accuracy in range estimates. Providing reliable information will help build consumer trust and foster long-term customer loyalty. As regulators and consumers demand greater transparency, EV manufacturers must ensure their range estimates accurately reflect real-world driving conditions.

Featured Image Credit: JP Valery; Unsplash; Thank you!

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The market leader in autonomous vehicles, Waymo, is switching gears from autonomous trucks to the ride-hailing industry. Having spent the prior six years conducting tests with Class 8 trucks, the company has finally made this decision. CEOs Dmitri Dolgov and Tekedra Mawakana of Waymo recently wrote a blog post in which they discussed the commercial opportunities and significant business growth they have seen in the ride-hailing industry. In this piece, we’ll look at Waymo’s history in the trucking industry, how the company has evolved, and what this new direction means for the company.

In 2017, Waymo began conducting trials in Arizona and California of its autonomous vehicle technology in trucks. The following year, a test program using autonomous trucks to deliver supplies to Google data centers was initiated in Atlanta. In 2019, Waymo’s trucking program took off with the company’s expansion into Arizona and, later, Texas. Waymo has strengthened its position in the trucking industry by hiring Boris Sofman and his team to head engineering in the company’s autonomous trucking division. Sofman is the co-founder and former CEO of robotics startup Anki.

Waymo has decided to shift its focus from the trucking industry, where it has made significant strides, to the ride-hailing industry, where it sees enormous momentum and commercial opportunities. The company plans to use its cutting-edge AI/ML technology to respond to the rising demand for rides in major cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. As a result, Waymo will delay the majority of the technical development in its trucking division and scale back on its commercial and operational efforts. Waymo plans to keep using its autonomous vehicle system for trucking, but the company hasn’t said when the program will be renewed or when it will go commercial.

Waymo has reorganized its staff substantially as a result of its decision to focus on the ride-hailing industry. The majority of the trucking team’s members have moved on to other departments within the company to aid in the program’s wind down. Waymo is dedicated to helping its employees through this transition, and although the exact number of people affected is unknown, the company stands by that promise.

Waymo and Daimler Truck North America will continue working together to build an autonomous truck platform, albeit at a more leisurely pace. Waymo plans to keep pouring resources into the collaboration, especially toward creating a redundant chassis essential to the secure rollout of autonomous trucks. Waymo plans to continue its preliminary testing of autonomous trucks in the near future.

Waymo’s partnership with Daimler Truck North America is still active, but its partnerships with UPS and J.B. Hunt, both of which were involved in the trucking program, have ended. Waymo is currently considering future plans for the nine-acre trucking hub it plans to construct in Dallas by 2021. Given its new emphasis on ridesharing, the company will evaluate the facility and decide what’s best for it.

Waymo’s logistics division, Waymo Via, has been up and running alongside its trucking efforts, with a primary focus on the delivery of goods via self-driving trucks and other autonomous vehicles. Partnerships with Uber Freight, UPS, J.B. Hunt, and Ryder were among the first formed by Waymo Via. The goal of these partnerships was to use Waymo’s autonomous technology to revolutionize the logistics and freight transportation sectors.

Waymo One, the company’s ride-hailing service, is now available in Phoenix and its suburbs like Scottsdale and Tempe. In May of 2023, the service area doubled in size after years of steady growth. While waiting for the final permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to charge passengers, Waymo also offers ride-hailing services in San Francisco.

In conclusion, Waymo’s decision to pivot from developing autonomous trucks to focusing on the ridesharing market is a response to the substantial commercial opportunities and rider demand that have been observed in the ridesharing market. While Waymo has decided to temporarily halt its trucking program, the company is still dedicated to eventually bringing its autonomous vehicle system to the trucking industry. The company will keep working with Daimler Truck North America, albeit at a reduced rate, and will keep conducting some truck tests. Waymo’s shift exemplifies its ability to pivot and make strategic decisions in the dynamic autonomous vehicle industry.

First reported on TechCrunch

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What has been Waymo’s history in the trucking industry?

Waymo began conducting trials of its autonomous vehicle technology in trucks in 2017 and expanded its trucking program to Arizona and Texas in subsequent years. The company made significant progress in the trucking industry, including a test program delivering supplies to Google data centers in Atlanta.

2. Why did Waymo decide to shift its focus to the ride-hailing industry?

Waymo sees substantial commercial opportunities and rider demand in the ride-hailing market. As a result, the company plans to use its advanced AI/ML technology to meet the rising demand for rides in major cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.

3. How will Waymo’s decision impact its trucking division?

Waymo will delay the majority of the technical development in its trucking division and scale back its commercial and operational efforts. The company plans to continue using its autonomous vehicle system for trucking, but the exact timeline for renewal or commercial deployment is yet to be announced.

4. How has Waymo reorganized its staff after the pivot?

The majority of the trucking team’s members have transitioned to other departments within the company to assist with the wind-down of the trucking program. Waymo is committed to supporting its employees through this transition.

5. Is Waymo still collaborating with Daimler Truck North America?

Yes, Waymo’s partnership with Daimler Truck North America to build an autonomous truck platform is ongoing, but the pace of collaboration has been reduced. Waymo will continue to allocate resources to create a redundant chassis for the secure rollout of autonomous trucks.

6. What happened to Waymo’s partnerships with UPS and J.B. Hunt in the trucking program?

Waymo’s partnerships with UPS and J.B. Hunt, which were part of the trucking program, have ended.

7. What is the status of Waymo’s logistics division, Waymo Via?

Waymo Via, focused on the delivery of goods via self-driving trucks and other autonomous vehicles, has been operational alongside the trucking efforts. Waymo has formed partnerships with companies like Uber Freight, UPS, J.B. Hunt, and Ryder to revolutionize logistics and freight transportation sectors.

8. Where is Waymo One, the company’s ride-hailing service, available?

Waymo One is available in Phoenix and its suburbs, including Scottsdale and Tempe. The service area doubled in size in May of 2023.

9. What are Waymo’s future plans for autonomous trucks?

Despite the pivot to focus on ride-hailing, Waymo remains committed to eventually bringing its autonomous vehicle system to the trucking industry. The company will continue conducting some truck tests and working with Daimler Truck North America.

10. What does Waymo’s pivot demonstrate about the company’s approach to the autonomous vehicle industry?

Waymo’s ability to pivot and make strategic decisions in response to market opportunities showcases the company’s adaptability and willingness to evolve in the dynamic autonomous vehicle industry.

Featured Image Credit

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BYD, the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in China, has proposed investing $1 billion in India in order to produce electric vehicles and batteries there. Megha Engineering and Infrastructures of Hyderabad, India, and BYD have formed an electric vehicle (EV) joint venture. If the investment goes through, BYD will be able to increase its global presence and compete in all of the world’s major auto markets outside of the United States.

In an effort to catch up to Tesla, the market leader in EV sales, BYD is rapidly expanding around the world. The company has become the largest manufacturer of electric and plug-in hybrid cars worldwide. BYD has already invested $200 million in India, while Tesla has only recently resumed talks with the government after postponing plans to enter the market last year.

The Blade battery manufacturer also plans to manufacture 100,000 electric vehicles per year in India within the next few years, though it is likely to begin by shipping vehicles in parts for assembly in the country while it establishes a local supply chain. The Indian government has not responded to BYD’s proposal yet.

BYD has proposed to Indian authorities that it and Hyderabad’s privately held Megha Engineering and Infrastructures form an EV joint venture. From affordable hatchbacks to high-end luxury vehicles, BYD plans to manufacture them all in India.

Production of electric vehicles in India is planned for the future. If the investment goes through, BYD will be able to make its entire range of electric vehicles in India, from subcompacts to high-end sedans. In addition to the proposed charging stations, the proposal also calls for the construction of R&D and training facilities in India.

In India, where it sells the Atto 3 electric SUV and the e6 EV to corporate fleets, BYD has already invested $200 million. This year should see the introduction of the company’s Seal high-end electric sedan. While only 1.1% of India’s total car sales (3.8 million) were electric vehicles in 2022, the government there hopes to increase that number to 30% by 2030.

BYD will go up against the likes of Tata Motors, a domestic automaker, and MG Motor, a Chinese rival, in the electric vehicle market in India. If the plan is implemented, BYD will be able to produce its entire range of electric vehicles in India, from subcompacts to high-end sedans.

BYD and Megha Engineering and Infrastructures of Hyderabad have proposed forming an electric vehicle (EV) joint venture to Indian regulators. The collaborative proposal envisions the installation of charging stations across India in addition to the construction of R&D and education hubs. BYD and Megha Engineering propose to build R&D and training facilities, as well as install charging stations in India as part of the investment proposal.

Olectra Greentech was founded in 2013 as a joint venture between BYD and Megha Engineering to produce electric buses. With this proposed partnership, BYD would be able to sell electric cars in addition to its existing electric buses.

The government of India has set a goal of increasing the EV market share to 30% by 2030, making the country a desirable location for international investors. However, beginning in the year 2020, India began to more closely monitor investments from its neighbors, including China. In order to establish a supply chain, BYD and Megha Engineering will likely begin by importing vehicle components for local assembly.

The business has already established a presence in both Europe and South America through the establishment of manufacturing facilities there. In 2022, BYD surpassed Tesla as the largest producer of EVs and PHEVs thanks to sales of 1.86 million vehicles.

First reported on CNBC

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is BYD’s proposed investment in India?

A1: BYD, the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in China, has proposed investing $1 billion in India to produce electric vehicles and batteries. This investment aims to increase BYD’s global presence and allow it to compete in major auto markets worldwide, except for the United States.

Q2: How does BYD’s expansion strategy compare to Tesla’s?

A2: BYD is rapidly expanding globally to catch up to Tesla, the market leader in electric vehicle sales. By establishing manufacturing facilities in Europe and South America, BYD has become the largest producer of electric and plug-in hybrid cars worldwide, surpassing Tesla in terms of sales volume.

Q3: What are BYD’s plans for manufacturing electric vehicles in India?

A3: BYD plans to manufacture 100,000 electric vehicles per year in India within the next few years. Initially, the vehicles are likely to be shipped in parts for assembly while BYD establishes a local supply chain. The company aims to produce its entire range of electric vehicles in India, from affordable hatchbacks to high-end luxury sedans.

Q4: Has BYD already made investments in India?

A4: Yes, BYD has already invested $200 million in India. It currently sells the Atto 3 electric SUV and the e6 EV to corporate fleets in the country. Additionally, BYD plans to introduce its Seal high-end electric sedan to the Indian market this year.

Q5: How does BYD’s investment align with the Indian government’s goals?

A5: The Indian government has set a goal of increasing the market share of electric vehicles to 30% by 2030. BYD’s proposed investment in India aligns with this objective and positions the company to benefit from the growing demand for electric vehicles in the country.

Q6: Who are the potential competitors for BYD in the Indian electric vehicle market?

A6: BYD will face competition from domestic automakers like Tata Motors and Chinese rival MG Motor in the Indian electric vehicle market. However, if the proposed investment is implemented, BYD will have an advantage by being able to produce its entire range of electric vehicles in India.

Q7: What other plans are included in BYD’s investment proposal?

A7: Alongside the manufacturing of electric vehicles, BYD and its partner, Megha Engineering and Infrastructures of Hyderabad, have proposed building charging stations across India. The investment plan also includes the construction of research and development (R&D) and training facilities in the country.

Q8: What is the Indian government’s stance on electric vehicles?

A8: The Indian government is supportive of electric vehicles and aims to increase the market share of electric vehicles from 1.1% in 2022 (out of a total of 3.8 million vehicles sold) to 30% by 2030. This government support, combined with India’s large population, makes it an attractive market for international electric vehicle manufacturers.

Q9: How will BYD’s proposed joint venture with Megha Engineering benefit its electric vehicle offerings in India?

A9: The joint venture with Megha Engineering will allow BYD to offer electric cars in addition to its existing electric buses in the Indian market. This collaboration strengthens BYD’s position and competitiveness in the Indian electric vehicle market.

Q10: How does BYD’s expansion strategy position it in the global electric vehicle market?

A10: BYD’s rapid expansion strategy positions it to compete with Tesla in major auto markets worldwide, outside of the United States. With manufacturing facilities in various regions and its proposed investment in India, BYD aims to increase its global presence and become a prominent player in the electric vehicle industry.

The post BYD’s $1 Billion Bet on India’s EV Future appeared first on ReadWrite.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging companies that want to apply for federal funding through a state program aimed at electrifying highways are required to use Tesla’s charging plug in order to be eligible for the funding, making Kentucky the first state in the nation to take this historic step. In particular, this is a reference to the program known as “Electrify Our Highways,” which is being implemented in the state of Kentucky.

This establishes a standard that will be followed by other states; both Texas and Washington have announced their intention to require charging companies that receive federal funding to implement Tesla’s “North American Charging Standard” (NACS) and the Combined Charging System (CCS). Other states will follow this example. The subsequent actions of other governments will be modeled after this one. The decision made by Kentucky is reflective of the larger trend that sees an increasing number of automakers and charging companies adopting the charging technology developed by Tesla.

The momentum toward widespread adoption of Tesla’s charging plug was given a significant boost with the announcement that Ford would use Tesla’s charging technology in its future electric vehicles. This news came in the month of May, and it was made by Ford. Almost immediately, GM replicated the strategy, which triggered a domino effect throughout the industry as a whole. As a direct result of this change, a number of automakers, such as Rivian and Volvo, as well as providers of charging infrastructure, such as FreeWire Technologies and Volkswagen’s Electrify America, have stated their intention to adopt the NACS standard. In addition, the organization SAE International, which is responsible for establishing standards, has announced that it plans to create a NACS industry standard configuration within the next six months.

NACS is facing opposition from certain members of the electric vehicle charging industry despite the fact that its popularity is on the rise. Companies that provide charging services, organizations that promote clean energy, and even the Texas Department of Transportation (DOT) have written a letter to the Texas Transportation Commission requesting additional time to re-engineer and test Tesla’s connectors before the mandate is put into effect.

These parties contend that the plan ought to be postponed until appropriate standardization, testing, and certification of the safety and interoperability of Tesla’s connectors have been completed. They also argue that this should take place before the plan is implemented. They argue that the allotted amount of time for the plan is insufficient.

To comply with the precedent that Kentucky has established, it is likely that other states will require the use of the Tesla charging plug in order to qualify for federal funding. It’s possible that Tesla’s home state of California, which is also the current sales leader for the company and electric vehicles, will soon follow suit. However, neither the California Department of Transportation nor the United States Department of Energy have issued any public statements regarding this issue.

The United States Department of Transportation issued a mandate at the beginning of this year requiring charging companies to have CCS plugs. CCS plugs are recognized as an international charging standard. In order to receive federal funding for the installation of 500,000 public electric vehicle chargers by the year 2030, the United States Department of Transportation issued the mandate. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program (NEVI) has made available to the states funding with a total value of $5 billion in order to expedite the process of electrifying the nation’s highways.

Each charging port must be able to connect to and charge vehicles that are equipped with NACS-compliant ports and have a CCS connector, as stated in the request for proposals that the state of Kentucky issued for the electric vehicle charging program. This requirement was imposed in order to ensure that the program is successful. Because of this mandate, compatibility is ensured, and the state takes another step toward establishing a standardized charging infrastructure.

By making it mandatory for electric vehicle owners to use the charging plug manufactured by Tesla, the state of Kentucky hopes to simplify and expand access to charging infrastructure for owners of electric vehicles. By standardizing the charging infrastructure, we can increase the interoperability between different makes and models of electric vehicles and reduce the need for multiple charging adapters at the same time. If a greater number of people make the decision to purchase electric vehicles as a direct result of this measure, the transportation system in the state will become more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The private sector is making progress toward adopting NACS, but there are still challenges and concerns that need to be resolved before full adoption can occur. In light of criticism from electric vehicle charging companies, clean energy groups, and the Texas Department of Transportation, it is imperative that Tesla’s connectors be subjected to extensive testing and standardized in some way. Before enforcing any regulations, it is essential to make certain that the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles is reliable and secure. On the other hand, the current trend of automobile manufacturers and charging companies moving toward the NACS standard is an indication that this upward trajectory will continue.

By making the use of Tesla’s charging plug mandatory, the state of Kentucky has made a significant contribution to the evolution of electric transportation and has earned a place in the annals of history. It is likely that additional states will adopt NACS if they follow suit, as a growing number of states are considering implementing measures that are analogous to NACS. As a result of this step, we are one step closer to realizing a national charging infrastructure that is both standardized and interoperable, which will result in fewer obstacles standing in the way of potential EV owners.

It is possible that the Golden State will soon follow suit, which will further cement Tesla’s position as the market leader in charging technology. This would be significant because California is such a prominent player in the electric vehicle market. It is essential for the various stakeholders to collaborate and address any outstanding challenges in order to guarantee a smooth transition towards a more sustainable future. Given the increasing momentum behind the electrification of highways, it is of the utmost importance that this be done.

First reported on TechCrunch

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As per recent reports from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), an enormous asteroid is on a potential collision course with Earth. This celestial object, measuring about 170 feet in diameter, is predicted to come alarmingly close to our planet.

Asteroids, remnants from the solar system’s formation, are minor planets or small Solar System bodies that orbit the sun. They are significantly smaller than planets but larger than meteoroids.

The incoming asteroid, identified as 2018VP1 by NASA, is approximately 170 feet in diameter. It is currently hurtling towards Earth at an incredible speed.

NASA, the world’s premier space agency, has been closely monitoring this celestial object through its Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). The agency’s advanced systems and technologies enable it to track and predict the paths of such objects with remarkable accuracy.

“The primary goal of CNEOS is to compute high-precision orbits for all asteroids and comets and to predict the likelihood of close approaches to Earth.” – NASA

NASA’s calculations suggest that the asteroid’s trajectory could intersect with Earth’s orbit. However, the chances of actual impact are currently estimated to be quite low.

The asteroid is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on a specific date. While the exact date and time are subject to change due to several factors, current predictions suggest a close encounter.

If the asteroid were to hit Earth, it could cause significant damage, especially if it were to land in a populated area. However, the likelihood of this happening is currently deemed to be very low.

NASA, along with other international space agencies, is working tirelessly to devise contingency plans should the asteroid’s trajectory change significantly. This includes potential diversion tactics and other precautionary measures.

The news of the incoming asteroid has sparked a frenzy on social media, with many netizens expressing their concerns and curiosity about the celestial event.

While the news of an asteroid potentially hitting Earth can seem alarming, it’s important to note that NASA and other space agencies worldwide are closely monitoring the situation. They are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of our planet.

NASA continues to remind the public that scenarios like these underline the importance of its ongoing work in asteroid detection and tracking. As we continue to explore the cosmos, such events remind us of our place in the vast universe and the importance of continuing our quest for knowledge.

First reported on Hindustan Times

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Growing attention has been paid in recent years to the need for sustainable and novel approaches to agriculture’s age-old problems. Hydro-tech farms are one approach that is gaining popularity as a means to this problem. These farms use state-of-the-art hydroponic systems and cutting-edge technology to grow their produce in a sustainable and effective manner. This article will go into hydro-tech farming, discussing its history, current state, and potential future applications and effects on the agricultural industry.

One way to cultivate plants without using soil is through hydro-tech farming, often known as hydroponics. In hydroponics, plants are grown in a water solution that is rich in nutrients. This gives the plants easy access to the minerals and elements they need to thrive. Tilling, a common farming activity that can cause soil erosion and nutrient loss, is unnecessary with this method. Hydroponic farms are able to increase crop yields while decreasing water and pesticide usage by providing plants with a controlled atmosphere and optimal conditions.

Hydro-tech farms are built to make the most efficient use of water and other resources. By cultivating plants in a greenhouse, growers are able to provide optimal conditions for plant growth by managing environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity. Water is conserved with this precision farming method by being reused inside the system. In addition to being better for the environment, hydroponic systems use significantly less fertilizer and pesticide than conventional farms.

The capacity to grow crops throughout the year is a major benefit of hydro-tech farming. Seasonal shifts and inclement weather are common constraints on conventional farming. In contrast, hydroponic systems offer a climate-controlled setting in which crops can be grown in any season. This guarantees a year-round supply of fresh vegetables while decreasing the need for imports and the associated transportation costs.

When faced with the problem of scarce farmland, hydro-tech farming provides a novel answer. Hydroponic systems make efficient use of space by employing vertical farming methods. The vertical arrangement of plants makes it possible to grow several different types of food in the same space. This type of vertical integration not only improves crop yields but also decreases the amount of land required. This allows for the establishment of hydro-tech farms in urban areas, which brings agriculture closer to consumers and lessens the environmental impact of food delivery.

The widespread adoption of hydrotech farming has fundamentally altered the agricultural and food production systems. Hydroponics is having a profound effect in several fields, so let’s look at a few of them.

Urban farming has been made possible by the proliferation of hydrotech farms. As the world’s population and rate of urbanization rise, so does the demand for environmentally responsible methods of urban food production. Hydroponic systems are a great option since they can be set up in confined areas and under strict environmental control. Fresh, locally grown produce can be made available to city dwellers through the use of urban hydroponic farms, which can be incorporated into buildings, rooftops, or even converted industrial locations.

Growing plants in indoor facilities where environmental conditions are carefully monitored and regulated is known as controlled environment agriculture (CEA). Hydroponics is essential in CEA because it allows farmers to control the environmental factors that affect plant growth. In areas with harsh weather or scarce farmland, this technology can make a huge difference. Hydro-tech farms can guarantee constant crop yields and limit the chance of crop failures due to external influences by providing a controlled environment.

The term “vertical farming” describes a method of farming in which crops are stacked or layered vertically, typically in urban settings. Vertical farming relies heavily on hydroponics, a technology that allows plants to thrive without soil. Hydro-tech farms are an economical and space-saving solution because they maximize crop yields per square meter by making vertical use of available space. Farming can be brought closer to urban populations and the carbon footprint associated with food transportation can be reduced by incorporating vertical farms into high-rise buildings, refurbished warehouses, or purpose-built structures.

In comparison to conventional agricultural methods, hydroponics are more environmentally friendly and productive. Hydroponic systems use technology and innovation to allow for year-round food production, decreased resource use, and optimal use of available space. Hydro-tech farms have the potential to play an important role in the future of food security, environmental protection, and agricultural sustainability. A more robust and long-lasting food system is possible with the help of this technical development.

First reported on CBS News 

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Amazon may use its drone delivery service to analyze customer’s homes, offering ‘recommendations’ from its store or third-party services like gardening or roof repairs (see our review of the best drones).

The patent, granted on Wednesday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), shows how the drones would use cameras to take photos during its descent. The photos would then be sent to a computer system to be analyzed, and recommendations would appear as mobile notifications or banner adverts when the customer visits the storefront.

See Also: How drones will change our retail experience, our cities and our skies

Amazon provides an example of what the recommendation could be: “The one or more service provider computers may analyze the data and identify that the roof of the location is in disrepair and in need of service. Subsequently, the one or more service provider computers may generate and provide a recommendation to the customer informing them of the identified property and offering an item or service that is appropriate for the identified property (e.g., a roof repair service recommendation).” US

Another example would be fertilizer or an arborist, if the drone spots dying trees in the back garden.

The introduction of local services provides Amazon with another route into everyday lives. The company did not say how it would find all the local services and how it would display them.

For customers that don’t want their house analyzed, Amazon has said it will be opt-in, if it ever becomes a reality. Drones that arrive at houses would still be required to record video in-case of an accident or technical fault, but would not send the data back to a commercial system.

Amazon has filed a number of weird drone patents over the past few months, including a zeppelin that acts as a mobile hub for deliveries and a drone beehive for deliveries in city centers.

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After the pandemic hit in 2020, business travel expenses shrunk by 52% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Now that business travel is back on the upswing heading into 2023, corporate travelers expect more out of their travel experiences — more convenience, fewer headaches, and more efficient ways to stay organized in transit.

Fortunately, business travel technology continues to improve business travel safety, convenience, and costs. Specifically, mobile apps such as Google Maps, CityMapper, and Expensify help business travelers plan and navigate their business trips.

Business Travel Technology

Other apps, such as TripIt or Apple Wallet, ease the burden of carrying luggage and help travelers consolidate travel documents. Plus, contactless hotel check-ins reduce the number of surfaces touched by other people, which is especially important in light of recent events.

By taking advantage of today’s tech tools, travelers and companies alike can enhance the business travel experience in many ways.

The Ultimate Travel Experience

As the travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic, a perfect travel day seems somewhat elusive. However, we can probably all agree that first-class seating, high-speed internet, safety, and dietary accommodations make for a positive travel experience.

It’s important to understand that business travel is a perk that not everyone is jazzed about; these experiences can make or break your retention rate. For example, as much as 62% of UK-based business travelers were unhappy with their business travel expectations, and 28% admitted they would quit if the pace continued. In this context, relying on online travel technology is essential to keep your traveling employers as happy as possible.

Strategies to Simplify Business Travel

Business leaders are changing how their companies plan business travel by implementing new protocols involving online travel tools. Using these tools will enable company executives to travel without unnecessary stress.

While there may be no such thing as the perfect business travel experience, there are tech tools that can make work travel easier and better. Here are a few ways business leaders can improve the travel experience:

1. Employ online travel technology for batch bookings.

Gone are the days of forcing staff to find their own flights and book accommodations with their own credit cards (with the company providing reimbursements upon return). Your HR executive or hired travel agent can easily make plans with technology that streamlines booking, travel accommodations, and itineraries.

Apps like Airbnb for Work can be linked to your company profile and will make it easier for your finance team to get all the information they need. If you decide to hire a travel agent, many have 24/7 help centers available for urgent travel requests, and some even partner with currency exchange services to help you navigate that as well. Whether it’s your internal HR team or an outsourced agent, travel planning technology is worth the investment.

2. Consider tech that saves time and money.

One of the biggest headaches of business travel involves having destination-specific currency for international travel. However, you can use tools to deliver destination-specific currency to the office before travel so that your employees don’t have to stand in line at airport kiosks or pay fees at ATMs — which will ultimately save your company money as well.

Some companies even offer a complimentary return of cash afterward, complete with reusable envelopes and no unnecessary bank trips. Help your employees save business time to maximize their trips (and maybe even have time for leisure!).

3. Utilize tech that prioritizes safety.

Safe travel should always be a priority, especially when it comes to booking transfers and car services in large cities with busy airports and long wait times. To save money on executive car services and find secure vehicles, utilize ride-hailing services instead of private town cars. Uber, for example, has a “black car” option that ensures executives have access to professional drivers with newer luxury vehicles.

Your team can also use various safety apps, such as Sitata Travel Safe, to track safety hazards across the globe. In addition, the app can alert your team to natural disasters, disease outbreaks, violence, and more.

Make It Easy

Personally, taking care of safety on the front end has given me an overwhelming sense of peace — especially traveling to countries for the first time when language and customs already create a barrier.

With business travel making a comeback, now is the time to innovate. With the right business travel technology, the business travel experience can be safer and easier for you and your team members. Make the most of business travel with the right tools so your team members can feel happy and safe knowing they are being taken care of.

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Briana Tozour; Unsplash; Thank you!

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The increase in IoT adoption and Smart technology is revolutionizing logistics and warehouse management. Here’s how.

“The United States Smart Warehousing Market size was estimated at USD 3,481.58 million in 2020 and expected to reach USD 9,400.10 million by 2027, at a CAGR of 15.24%” – Research & Markets report.

With ever-increasing consumer demand, the load on logistics and transportation has only increased and given rise to many innovations in the logistics industry. Logistics companies are striving to increase efficiency and provide better transparency. This has led to some serious innovation and investment in the IoT space.

With IoT becoming ever-popular,  forecasters predict that by 2025, the IoT industry will hit between $1 trillion and $3 trillion in revenue. This is due to a shift from mere connectivity to IoT-powered applications, platforms, and services.

How does IoT complement logistics?

Location and Route Management

Vehicle tracking solutions generally monitor the current location of trucks conveying the cargo to its destination. Logistics industries track their trucks and estimate the probable delivery time by using GPS tracking tools. It aids in smooth operation and provides more granular insight into the transportation of goods. Even companies like Maersk adopt trackers in their containers for efficient operations.

Transparency

IoT has taken automation to the next level of granularity. Vendors and consignees precisely know where their goods are without too much effort. Companies like VesselFinder specialize in providing visibility to containers in real-time. In a more connected world, customers now have visibility that can be seamlessly integrated using the available data.

Predictability

Since the movement of goods is tracked in real-time, a warehouse or a hub can plan the receiving and handling of goods in advance. This allows for more efficient space management and prevents excess reserved capacity.

Efficient Last-Mile Delivery

Last-mile delivery covers over 30% of all delivery costs due to the high reliance on traffic, drivers’ skills, and fuel costs. With the Internet of Things, delivery trucks can collect orders more efficiently, entirely using all the available space.

Companies like Amazon are also experimenting with Drone-based delivery for the last mile, especially in densely populated areas. While these are being tested in smaller towns and require clearances from the aviation authorities, it is only a matter of time before this becomes mainstream, given that it is more economical for things like same-day delivery.

Condition and Damage Monitoring

Monitoring the condition of goods in transit is key to several industries. For example, it is crucial for perishables or cold-chain transport, such as seafood, fresh produce, biotech, and Pharma.

Several companies make devices that monitor and log conditions like humidity, temperature, shock, and even radiation monitoring. This enables the consignees and vendors to ensure the goods are not damaged in transit. In addition, technologies like Trackers and smart containers are used to achieve damage control so your product can arrive in excellent condition.

IoT in Warehouse Management

Warehousing is generally a very people-intensive process and has significant scope for automation. Let’s explore some of the innovations that IoT has enabled in warehousing.

Efficient Warehouse Management and Stock Status

The overall process of a warehouse operation can be broken down broadly into receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping.

Using technologies like RFID, goods going in and out of the warehouse can be automatically logged with minimal effort from the staff. In addition, RFID does not require scanning or a direct product view, minimizing sorting and unpacking efforts.

While RFID is an old technology, reducing costs has led to its mainstream adoption. In addition, many companies add RFID tags as a part of their manufacturing process itself. As a result, incoming goods can be scanned and logged without unpacking.

The stock status of the warehouse can be updated in real-time as goods enter and leave the warehouse without any extra effort. At any given point in time, the inventory is up-to-date.

Storage and Picking

Storage and picking are very intensive processes in a warehouse. IoT products can be crucial in making these processes more efficient. While the management software assigns a place/rack where the goods need to be stored, storage involves physically transporting the goods from the receiving area to the designated place.

Similarly, picking involves locating the product in the warehouse and bringing it to the packaging area. It is estimated that employees spend approximately 30 percent of their shifts traveling inside the warehouse.

Some of the technologies that can be leveraged here are:

Guided Vehicles

Automated Guided Vehicles are used to transport goods from section to section in the warehouse. They usually work in combination with the employee picking the goods for shipping or storage. On the other hand, autonomous mobile robots can pick/stack the goods on the racks. For example, Alibaba has 700 guided robots designed to transport parcels across the place and deliver goods to delivery trucks in their warehouses. Companies like GreyOrange and Conveyco also have promising solutions in this area.

UAVs for Stock-Taking

Many companies provide drones that fly automatically in the warehouse and take stock of the existing inventory. Several companies like Flytware, and Argon&Co give these devices and the integration pieces to interface with the management software.

Smart Glasses

These wearable smart glasses guide the worker to the product’s location and highlight the product that needs to be picked up. This eliminates training and human error in product selection. This also optimizes the pick-path to minimize the distance traveled by the worker.
Logistiview and Realtimelogistics are some of the leaders in this area.

Voice Headsets

Here, the employees wear a headset with a mic that understands simple voice commands and directs them to the products of interest. This is essentially done to keep the worker’s hands-free for the picking task, which otherwise would mean pressing buttons.

Companies such as 6river systems and Dematic real-time logistics are pioneers in voice headsets specifically for warehouse management.

Finger-Trigger Gloves

These are essentially barcodes and RFID scanners that can be worn, which confirm the product in picking it up and not performing a scan-first.

IoT and Blockchain for Digital BOL

Blockchain-based logistics are built on a shared distributed ledger, making all of the data (shipment status at various times, storage environment, transport status) indisputable. This provides increased transparency and enables customers to track the products’ source and delivery.

Smart Contract

The smart contract makes the contract self-executing and enforceable. However, especially in cross-border transport, there are several approvals and authorities involved. In such cases, these contracts provide an escrow mechanism where funds are disbursed based on checkpoints that are enabled by IoT.

When blended with the technology of Blockchain, applications of IoT in the logistics industry create a digital Bill of Lading (BOL) that creates whole new transparency in the supply chains.

TradeLens ecosystem is a solution launched in 2018 by Maersk and IBM. It helps to track vehicles, containers, cargo, and supply chain management. Industry partners’ freight traffic data are collected into a single secure blockchain network. And all interested parties are provided with secure access to information. The system also automates the associated documentation, including invoices, bills, and fees.

Dispute Resolution with Blockchain

Dispute resolution is a widespread function in logistics. Companies have strived to provide a smooth resolution in this matter. FedEx partnered with Hyperledger and BiTa (Blockchain in Transport Alliance) and launched a pilot project to find solutions to help resolve disputes with customers. The immutable nature of Blockchain will help minimize customer disputes.

IBM Food Trust is another initiative by IBM in the Food Trust ecosystem that enables tracking of the source of the product right up to the point of consumption. This is essential to track product transportation. IBM used the Hyperledger Fabric distribution registry to launch the IBM Food Trust ecosystem. This aims to increase the transparency and traceability of food supply chains by creating end-to-end “stories” of each product.

In other words, the network collects and integrates information on food production, transportation, and storage. This is essential to ensure safety and standards, especially in the food industry. Companies like Dole and Golden State Foods have already implemented traceability in their logistic systems.

Logistics and warehouse management is integral to every business, directly or indirectly. At the same time, it is not a monolithic process but a combination of complex processes. Interconnecting them to ensure that accurate data flows seamlessly between the various components is the key challenge.

IoT provides promising logistics and warehouse management innovation and is bound only to increase.

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Currently, the population of urban areas is increasing at a very high rate. Urbanization is rising all over the globe. People usually move from the countryside to more developed cities because of job and education opportunities. In developed economies, 79.2% of people live in cities. In the developing world, the amount is lower but is still more than half (UNCTAD).

Image Credit: Pexels; Thank you!

Urban population growth has been fueled by new technologies that have enabled cities to build upward. The development of skyscrapers has allowed for greater population densities. In the future, we will see the continual expansion of today’s cities.

Urbanization has led to a new type of city called the megacity – this is a city with 10 million or more inhabitants. According to the United Nations forecast, there will be 43 megacities by the year 2030.

Jobs in manufacturing and IT and increased opportunities for education and entertainment attract people from rural areas and towns. Urban areas will continue to expand with the population. This further growth will create a number of challenges, including overcrowding, housing problems, traffic congestion, and reduced environmental quality.

Thus, it’s necessary to pay attention to building cities of the future. This means more comfortable and well-maintained areas designed for pedestrians and vehicles. Urban planning is an essential step in creating a well-developed city. It results in happier people living in this built-up environment. Planning includes safe and affordable housing, better public transportation, and public green spaces.

Pedestrian flows and parking problems

Pedestrian path design is important to make spaces near apartment buildings comfortable for people living there. In addition, city designers must consider pedestrian traffic and car movement. This can help to avoid traffic congestion when entering the apartment building property from the road.

Image Credit: Unsplash; Thank you!

Pedestrian pathways

Simulation modeling allows you to test various scenarios without risk. It is possible by using pedestrian flows and analyzing them before implementing the project. Simulation enables experimentation on a real digital representation of a system.

In a pedestrian simulation model, you can define the area where pedestrians can move around. They will search for a faster way to their destination. It can be used for the design of pedestrian pathways around an apartment building.

The simulation model of pedestrians’ routes

A lack of parking spaces near apartment buildings can be also solved by using simulation. In a model, you can test a few combinations of parking area dimensions with driveways and roads.

Furthermore, simulation software helps to avoid traffic congestion around an apartment building by modeling car movements. A simulation model gives the opportunity to predict the situation on the road. It considers the current traffic flow and the road network. Through car movement optimization, traffic jams at crossroads can be reduced.

Crowd management

Pedestrian flows need to be efficiently managed not only around the city but also in popular, crowded places. For example, visitors’ behavior at the Eiffel Tower in Paris was analyzed by using AnyLogic simulation software. The model simulated tourist arrivals and their behavior in open spaces.

The simulation model of pedestrian flow at the Eiffel Tower

The simulation software estimated queues in front of elevators. At the same time, it considered elevator operation rules and capacity. The top floor had the biggest issues of waiting lines and crowd management. Experiments with a model were useful in optimizing the existing visitor itineraries.

Public transport: bus routing

Every day, millions of people move around between their workplaces and their homes. As a result, thousands of vehicles run on the streets. This leads to traffic jams and congestion.

Most of these vehicles run on fossil fuels. These fuels cause a huge amount of air pollution, degrading air quality. The number of people who own cars is growing every year because the public transport systems are still unreliable. That’s why it needs updating.

Cities are trying to make their streets friendlier for bikes and pedestrians. Vienna, Munich, and Copenhagen have closed entire streets to car traffic. Barcelona and Paris have dedicated more of their streets to bike traffic. Drivers in London and Stockholm must pay a fee for driving into the city. These measures make people more likely to walk, ride a bicycle, or use public transportation.

Bus bunching

Another problem in big cities is bus bunching. In the real world, traffic congestion, schedule gaps, mechanical failures, overcrowding, and uneven loads cause inconvenience and impact the rest of the route. Simulation modeling enabled the public transit agency to calculate several indicators such as irregularity measures, excess wait time, and passengers’ comfort levels.

Bus bunching problem simulation

The simulation model allowed experimentation based on input data and the assessment of multiple ideas and combinations to solve this bus bunching. It helped public transport efficiently serve customers.

Transit vehicles scheduling

In public transport, bus bunching is when a group of two or more transit vehicles run in the same location at the same time. Thus, bus drivers need transit vehicle scheduling to be evenly spaced along the same route. To prevent public transit bus bunching, designers developed the simulation model with the following components: bus stops, buses, riders, and trips.

The solution called “equilibrium” showed the best results. This is a method used to devise a way to maintain distances between buses. Using the equilibrium policy, buses will no longer follow the route freely. They will continuously make adjustments, slowing down or stopping until sufficient space is available.

Bus transportation system simulation

When the “equilibrium” policy is used, the number of riders on each bus is more uniform. Moreover. the wait time is more predictable. This eliminates excessively long wait times and reduces overcrowding of buses. The implementation of a simple uber-like app for bus drivers could advise them when to wait based on network metrics, enforcing the “equilibrium” policy.

Municipal electric vehicles

By 2025, 45% of public buses in the EU should be low- or zero-emission. Simulation modeling was used to plan municipal electric vehicle (EV) fleet operations in Germany. It enabled the forecasting of large-scale EV fleet tasks and assessing their daily operation.

A user could choose vehicle types (diesel, BEV, FCEV), select the number of each type in a fleet, and set the number of charging stations in the depot and their maximum power.

The electric bus operations model

Also, on the map view of the model, the user had the opportunity to see different types of buses moving on the streets, their states of charge, energy types, stops, and the charging station (the depot). The user could also select an option to consider the temperature effect on vehicle energy consumption.

With the help of the AnyLogic model, the simulation service provider gained insight into potential power needs for the charging infrastructure. They also calculated the number of required vehicles of each type.

Bicycle sharing

A developed bicycle transportation system is an important part of urban planning. It can help to reduce traffic congestion and environmental pollution. Bike-sharing systems are becoming more popular across the world.

In Mexico, modeling helped to estimate how many people would use the applied system in each macro-area. Also, it showed how they would behave while using a bike-sharing system.

The experiments with the model enabled engineers to analyze the number of different demand scenarios. They identified the busiest stations in the system and defined the number of bikes at each station.

The bicycle transportation system model

Railway passenger traffic

The efficiency of train terminal management influences the process of passengers’ control and experience. To optimize the utilization of the terminal in Paris, a simulation model was developed. This optimization could reduce the waiting time at the points of control for passengers.

The model considered a few elements. They were passenger flows classified by typology, the number of available posts of control as well as their flows, areas of waiting and control, and finally, a possible pre-orientation of the passengers. Using the simulation software helped deal with increased passenger traffic. The use of the terminal was optimized while enhancing the passengers’ experience.

Airport passenger flow

An airport provides mobility for its inhabitants. Frankfurt airport processes needed optimization to improve capacity planning and reduce waiting periods. It could increase customer satisfaction. Developers created an airport simulation model to develop an airport passenger flow management system.

The trajectory model and the social force model provided the required accuracy to forecast airport passenger flow. The terminal management of the airport has successfully been using the airport simulation model. As a result, it enabled managers to optimize passenger flow and avoid problems.

The role of simulation in building comfortable cities

Strong city planning will be essential in managing high energy consumption, poor air quality, and other difficulties as the world’s urban areas grow.

As we see, optimization technologies such as simulation modeling play a significant role in building modern and convenient cities. The simulation helps through the planning and improvement of pedestrian flows, parking, bus routing including EVs, bike sharing systems, as well as railway and airport passenger traffic.

The AnyLogic Pedestrian and Road Traffic Libraries enable users to plan, design, and simulate pedestrian and transportation flow dynamics in urban landscapes.

Since we have the data and know how to change today’s cities through urban planning, we must act now. This will allow us to overcome this set of issues and make urban environments sustainable.

Inner Image Credit: Provided by the Author; All Images by AnyLogic Simulation Software; Thank you!

Featured Image Credit: Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata; Pexels; Thank you!

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Travel is evolving, thanks to new and more sophisticated technologies. These breakthroughs make it easier to both travel and stay connected during that travel. With lower prices, streamlined traveling experiences, greater convenience for travelers, and higher productivity, everyone with travel plans has something to enjoy.

But how exactly did we get here, and where does the world of interconnected travel technology go from here?

Technology and Travel

Whether you’re going to a different country for business or as part of a destination wedding, it pays to know the best-connected tech for the experience.

Certain travel companies and related institutions are integrating more technologies into their products and services. This allows you to take advantage of these opportunities to save money, save time and ultimately get a better overall experience. Some technologies will enable you to make your travel more comfortable and more convenient, even when you’re a mere passenger on an airplane or a bus.

What types of technology are changing the way we travel?

Bookings and Information

If you grew up before the 2000s, you probably had at least one experience with a real travel agent. Your travel agent was a person whose entire job was to help you book travel accommodations.

These days, the role of the travel agent is practically obsolete. Instead, you can find information and book travel arrangements online in a matter of minutes.

While this technology isn’t necessarily new, it has caused a sub-industry to almost collapse — and it’s changed how we think about travel.

Chatbots and Customer Service

Are you having trouble finalizing your ticket purchases? Or are you not sure what to do next? Don’t worry – someone can help you.

But that “someone” is probably an automated chatbot. Love it or hate it, most travel companies have integrated sophisticated chatbots into their customer service strategy, enabling them to serve more people in less time while minimizing costs and keeping human staff to a minimum.

This trend is likely to continue, with even more forms of automated customer service in the works.

Better Internet

Satellite internet has made some incredible leaps forward in recent years. As a traveler, that gives you one great advantage: better in-flight Wi-Fi.

Airplane Wi-Fi relies on satellite internet to keep travelers connected. If you’re willing to pay the premium, you can enjoy a much faster, more reliable streaming connection when traveling.

Sterilization and Hygiene

The COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t good for the travel business, but it did lead to some interesting technological breakthroughs. As a result, airlines, cruise ships, and other travel businesses are making more proactive investments in connected tech designed for sterilization and hygiene.

For example, in many locations, you can now find particular types of UV lights that kill microorganisms floating in the air. It gives customers a better sense of safety and security. It also reduces the spread of infectious diseases and improves health outcomes.

Remote and Hybrid Workplaces

Connected technology isn’t always a good thing for the travel industry.

For example, better technology has allowed us to create more remote and hybrid workplaces where people aren’t required to be in physical locations to interact with each other. When your business can handle almost everything in the form of video calls and teleconferences, its travel needs plummet.

As a result, total business travel is down, and travel companies are looking for ways to incentivize businesspeople to travel again.

Data Analytics and AI

Big data has been huge for the travel industry. These days, major travel companies can understand the dynamics of every customer they acquire, studying their travel patterns, understanding their demographic-based behaviors, and even predicting what each customer will do next.

As a result, marketing and advertising have become more personalized, recommendations have become more specific, and companies have generated meaningful insights that have led to substantial internal change.

Predictions for the Future of Travel and Connected Tech

What does the future hold for connected tech in the travel industry? It’s hard to predict the future, but we can imagine the following:

More automation.

Automation is one of the most powerful forms of technology for businesses to consider. Once integrated, it has the capacity to do the work of many different people, saving significant money and increasing consistency and efficiency at the same time.

Not all automation technologies are perfect, and some people still prefer the experience of talking to another human being when making travel arrangements or during the travel itself. Still, for the most part, automation is a net good. The main limiting factor for automation is its level of sophistication; right now, only some tasks are worth automating.

For others, the task complexity is too high for automation to reasonably handle. In the near future, automation will only improve, meaning we’ll see more forms of automation embedded in our travel experiences from start to finish.

More ML and AI.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence are technologies with similar purposes and are often used to help companies and individuals see better results. These technologies are constantly growing more sophisticated, with a broader range of capabilities and more sheer power.

As long as this advancement trend continues, we will probably see machine learning and artificial intelligence used in more applications. As a result, consumers will get more specific recommendations, and travel company problems will become much easier to resolve.

Individualized experiences.

Across many different industries, companies are optimizing their products and services. They’re doing this to provide more individualized experiences to those buying from them.

In the travel industry, this could take the form of more personalized recommendations, more customizable experiences, and better, individual-centric customer service. As long as companies can gather adequate data to better understand their customers on an individual level — better technology will be able to make this a reality.

Higher cost efficiency.

Most travel companies are trying to operate as profitably as possible. That means increasing cost efficiency with the use of novel technologies.

There are infinite potential applications of technology in this area, from more efficient means of propulsion for vehicles to AI-generated recommendations for how to make the most of a given physical space.

In any case, we’ll likely see travel companies operating leaner and more efficiently, leading to both higher profits and lower costs for consumers.

Industry resilience and flexibility.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a major wake-up call for travel companies, especially airlines. This Black Swan event disrupted the industry for more than a year, causing catastrophic losses and significant logistical problems.

To prevent this scale of disruption in the future, more travel companies are going to invest in technologies that allow the industry to become more resilient and more flexible in the face of unforeseeable developments.

Instant updates.

Have you ever wanted more updates about your travel plans in real-time? We will likely see a push for this in the near future.

With the help of the right connected tech, users can sign up to get real-time updates on every step of the travel process. This often includes notifications about lines at security to warnings of potential delays.

New business models.

Thanks to new technologies, we might see entirely new business models emerge as well.

Consider how disruptive the ride-sharing model was when Uber first landed; people were so used to taxis they had trouble conceiving of a better way to travel around a city reliably. It’s only a matter of time before a new, truly disruptive business model emerges to change the way we travel.

One thing is certain. The travel industry isn’t going to remain the same for long. Connected technology has already significantly impacted how we travel and think about travel. As technology gets better and more advanced, these changes will only compound.

Featured Image: Haley Black; Pexels.com. Thank you!

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The Internet of Things (IoT) is starting to cause massive positive changes throughout the logistics industry and for individual truck drivers. Many applications for the IoT in logistics can verify where certain deliveries are at any point in the supply chain and if any issues crop up.

Then, the IoT improves trucking by showing drivers optimized routes for getting deliveries to their destinations on time. Such details can prevent them from getting frustrated by traffic backups, accidents, or other mishaps.

The IoT can also give more visibility into what’s happening on the road. That’s vital — especially since a single truck accident could cost $74,000, according to one industry source. Here’s a closer look at why the Internet of Things is a game-changer for trucking professionals and route optimization.

Getting More Insights Into Driver Behaviors and Feelings

Having a driving-based career can be stressful. Even if someone carefully follows all the rules of the road, they still have to contend with everyone else potentially getting distracted, becoming upset, or completely ignoring the best practices for safe driving. Of course, even the safest drivers aren’t perfect, so they could also find distractions.

The IoT improves trucking by showing people more details about how drivers feel. One French automotive tech company even released a product that tracked drivers’ heart rates, giving clues when they might be stressed and need a break.

Dispatchers could use that information in route planning. If a driver registers a long period of an elevated heart rate, the person in charge of routing might suggest pulling over at a gas station or ending their shift early.

Using the IoT in logistics also highlights driver behaviors that could impact routing. Thanks to IoT sensors, the person overseeing routing could notice a driver taking longer at each stop than most of their peers or having a higher percentage of idle time. Those are two things training and coaching could improve. Additionally, such behaviors may mean the driver who shows them may not get scheduled to handle the most-urgent deliveries.

People in many roles — within and outside of trucking — often bottle up their feelings and don’t mention if they’re under too much pressure until the situation feels nearly unbearable. However, IoT sensors could reduce such issues by making people more aware of what’s happening. That could mean drivers get sensor data confirming they’re under too much stress, or dispatchers might notice particular red flags.

Shortening the Time Needed to Get Emergency Servicing

Keeping an industrial fleet running smoothly means knowing the correct times to perform certain upkeep activities. Cleaning a truck’s diesel particulate filter is a good example — that should ideally occur every 50,000 miles (tompsontrucksource dot com) or once per year. Otherwise, the vehicle is at risk of engine failure and costly downtime.

However, even the most well-maintained trucks could break down without warning. IoT sensors tend to reduce that likelihood by making people aware of issues earlier.

Researchers also proposed another option, examining how the IoT could make roadside assistance services more efficient. This technology could give crews information about stranded vehicles before arriving at the scene and provide routing details to reduce the timeframes associated with receiving assistance. 

The results indicated that such a service would increase customer loyalty and satisfaction among those using it. That makes sense, especially considering how upsetting it can be to deal with vehicle breakdowns.

Those same issues can make life incredibly challenging for professional truckers who must meet tight deadlines. Similarly, using the IoT in logistics like this could prevent vehicular failures contributing to perishable-good spoilage or causing essential items to arrive late.

A vehicle’s onboard IoT sensors could also guide a driver to the closest service center once they detect a problem needing urgent attention. In such cases, IoT technology typically works with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. It’s then possible to predict that a component will fail soon, giving people time to address the matter.

Since truckers often cross state boundaries and country borders during their routes, they probably won’t know the closest places to go for vehicle servicing. Connected sensors could show them the nearest options and send information about a vehicle’s problem to the service provider before arrival. The IoT improves trucking by providing relevant and timely information.

Seeing How the IoT Improves Trucking Efficiency

Statistics from April 2021 showed 30% of global customers expect deliveries to arrive within 24 hours. Additionally, 46% of people want their goods to come two to three days after ordering. It’s undeniable that individuals in today’s society have high expectations for delivery times.

How things turn out is not solely up to the truckers who bring the items to people’s doorsteps. After all, there are other parties handling the goods as well. Even so, using the IoT in logistics can give people more control over some parts of the process.

A Berlin-based company called LivingPackets shows how the IoT could make shipping and deliveries more sustainable. It’s a packaging-as-a-service company selling connected, reusable containers as alternatives to traditional options.

Recipients and merchants can track parcels every step of the way due to IoT connectivity. An app shows each part of the delivery process, making it easier to track when and why something went wrong. A person can also use an app to change delivery details on the fly. That’s because each container has an electronic-ink screen, allowing the quick updating of information.

Suppose a recipient forgets to add delivery instructions or remembers they’ll be at the office rather than home on a particular day — they can go to the app to specify those things. Such information helps truckers work more efficiently, particularly when handling last-mile deliveries. 

Reducing the Effects of Traffic Congestion

Efforts to apply the IoT in logistics and trucking often relate to safety. For example, Ford recently began testing a sensor setup that creates a virtual boundary (iotworldtoday dot com) where a driver can only navigate at certain speeds.

For truckers, staying within the speed limit keeps themselves and everyone else safer. However, speed is often necessary for other professionals who spend significant portions of their time on the road. Such is the case for first responders.

Researchers explored how the IoT could be instrumental in guiding ambulances and similar vehicles to their destinations so they encounter minimal traffic congestion. Their solution relied on the connected sensors receiving live traffic updates. However, there was also an aspect where everyday individuals use an Android app to provide crowdsourced information about traffic backups.

This approach uses geotagged sensors placed at strategic intervals along the roadside. They continually collect information to detect the amount of traffic at any given time. The people working on this project suggested the outcomes could help improve emergency services response times in smart cities.

It’s easy to see how this idea could expand to include truckers, too. If people want their parcels to arrive on time, they might be especially willing to contribute to a crowdsourcing app helping it happen.

Applying the IoT in Logistics is Worth Consideration

Using the IoT in logistics is not something people should expect to do successfully in a matter of weeks. People must have enough time and financial resources to help such projects pay off. Getting feedback from truckers is vital, too.

The examples here show how the IoT improves trucking. These outcomes will be most impactful when they directly connect to identified challenges professional truckers face.

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Steam engines and conveyor belts are arguably two of the most important inventions of the industrial age. Moving water and coal by machine sparked groundbreaking changes in manufacturing. They allowed businesses to scale their production while saving time and resources. Many believe that automated guided vehicles represent the next logical step.

After all, without these innovations, the world as it is today would be impossible. The ability to move materials with ease contributed powerfully to the industrial revolution.

As time has marched on, more technologies have been invented to improve transportation, thus benefiting the manufacturing process. Many experts believe that the automated guided vehicle is the most noteworthy innovation as of late.

These machines are automatic vehicles with a guidance system that can use a variety of technologies to get from point A to point B without the need for a driver or human supervision. This invention has benefited quite a number of operations when it comes to manufacturing. AGVs can routinely and reliably transport materials from one place to another.

How Automated Guided Vehicles Work

Of course, the future of manufacturing is unknown, but it is constantly seeing upgrades from technological advancements. An automated guided vehicle (AGV) is a robotic solution to many industrial problems. It is a portable robot that moves along marked lines or wires on factory floors. It achieves this by using radio waves, cameras, magnets, or lasers for navigation.

The technologies used by each AGV differ based on design. Technologies such as LIDAR help AGVs in routing, navigation, and traffic management. Cameras help in monitoring obstacles and optimizing the path. Sensors also help in mapping the space and navigation.

Automated guided vehicles run on optimized technologies such as laser-based navigation systems and camera-based navigation systems. Both of these enhance the operation and help with better routing, traffic management, load balancing, and battery management.

These advances help make the systems safer for humans on the factory floor, as AGVs can stop if they sense someone or something is within their set path.

Laser-based navigation systems are one of the most popular types of routing and mapping systems in the industry today. Engineers pair camera-based technology with laser technology as an add-on feature. Cameras can detect the presence of traffic and easily identify obstacles better than lasers.

Camera-mounted automated guided vehicles are also extremely useful when humans are operating the system. It provides a much better view when users take the vehicle for new routines or a manned operation.

Industries Utilizing Automated Guided Vehicles

AI and self-driving cars are predicted to be the future, even in industries such as construction. However, some industries are experiencing success with automated options, and others are still adapting to AGVs. Most companies use automated guided vehicles in industrial applications. They transport heavy materials around large factories or warehouses.

For example, they help factories move raw materials or pellet goods. These are made ready to be shipped or sent off to a warehouse. Techs automate their routes and schedules in a way that they carry out operations a specific number of times within specified time increments.

While industrial applications are most common, other industries use AGVs on a smaller scale. AGVs can be applied to move materials in food processing, automotive assembly plants, and the healthcare industry.

Within hospitals, AGVs are becoming increasingly popular. Technicians program them to move linens, trash, medical waste, and even patient meals. In recent years, the theme park industry has even begun using AGVs for rides.

Benefits of Using Automated Guided Vehicle

The world of production is moving forward. There are so many benefits of incorporating an automated guided vehicle. Here are some of the most notable perks.

1. Time Management

Most notably, automated guided vehicles help cut down on human resources. Otherwise, companies spend additional resources on transporting materials back and forth. This, in turn, reduces the manual errors that occur when lifting large loads.

AGVs also improve time management by automating the routines. A simple memory chip with a navigation system and an automated routine can help the users to save time throughout pickup and transport schedules.

The incorporation of more automated systems has also been shown to save money and add more leisure time for employees. When companies don’t burden employees with simple, repetitive tasks, they can focus on more important agenda items.

AGVs prove to be extremely useful as they can transport items to a certain location without the guidance of humans. Without the need for human guidance, AGVs cut down on human error.

2. Optimizing Transport

Transporting materials through robot-enabled machines helps in automating the transport of materials, withdrawing the need for other machines, forklifts, and techniques for load management. Delegating transport to an AGV can also protect workers.

Injuries from lifting heavy items or operating forklifts incorrectly are some of the most common injuries within the workplace. Having AGVs take on this responsibility could mean avoiding workplace comp claims and potentially losing good employees.

Somewhat ironically, self-driving vehicles become simpler and safer when humans aren’t around. Separating human tasks and automated guided vehicles can optimize the transport process in multiple ways.

3. Efficiency

Incorporating AGVs benefits the overall manufacturing process, as it involves fewer man hours on simple tasks, such as transport, and it diverts them to more useful operations. An automated guided vehicle cuts down on the number of staff hours or labor required to safely handle payload and take it from one point to another. This is easily done once the load is set up on the automated guided vehicle.

Companies know that these machines are sturdy, stable, and more efficient than humans, who can carry less and usually take longer. AGVs make the transportation process both cost and time efficient.

Automated guided vehicles are a simple solution to solve transportation issues, and their application has broadened during the late 20th century. As more industries look to incorporate technology to optimize their processes and improve efficiency, they may take advantage of AGVs.

Looking at how the manufacturing industries have been utilizing this technology for years can help industries that are choosing to incorporate this technology now learn best practices. Knowing what AGVs are and recognizing their benefits can help businesses decide if they’re right for them.

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The Internet of Things (IoT) will change smart city parking — and make everyone’s life easier in many ways. IoT will move beyond simple conveniences like fridges that reorder milk when you’re out — and your bathroom shower that turns on and finds just the right temperature when you’re near.

Instead, IoT will change how we experience our homes, cities, and worldwide communication and travel — even in your own smart city.

How About IoT Finding Your Parking Spot in Smart City Parking?

IoT will make every aspect of running errands easier, up to and including taking all the pain out of finding a place to park. Especially relevant will be how IoT finds your car a parking spot in cities.

As you begin the long, head-on-a-swivel hunt for a big enough spot to park your car, it legally will become something of the past with the aid of smart city planning and zones. But, as stories of the hour-long hunt for a better spot to park close to work — our kids won’t believe we ever put up with that.

The Latest Trends in Smart Vehicles and What They Mean for Smart Parking in Smart Cities

While many aspects of the IoT will help us more easily find parking. Yet the major innovation in this newfound convenience is the smart vehicle (also called a smart car).

Around the world, but especially in car cultures like the United States, smart vehicles will reshape everything about driving, from how and where we go to how we stop when we get there.

Smart vehicles will be one of the critical factors in the success of IoT, as they will be central to how to maneuver in ever-tightening living spaces when we travel around.

What’s a Smart Vehicle, Anyway?

A smart vehicle is anything we’ve been driving since the late 90s that had an onboard G.P.S. So any automobile featuring integrated, advanced electronics is already a “smart car.” Speaking broadly, you could count the microprocessors that have monitored mechanical functions in cars since the 60s.

Indeed, today the phrase “smart vehicle” would include the vehicles we drive, which feature around 100 microprocessors per vehicle. But for many, the cut-off between “car with computers in it” and “actual smart vehicle” is when the computers began providing functions beyond just making the automobile stop and go.

The Integrated G.P.S., etc.

Integrated G.P.S. is an excellent place to start thinking about smart vehicles — though some might argue that those 1980s brick-like car phones were the first genuine article.

Whether we count the phone or the G.P.S. first, by now, smart vehicles can do so much more than that effortless task.

The Smart Vehicles Today — in Smart City Parking

The smart vehicle of today automatically saves gas on smooth rides, toggles high beams on and off on dark roads, and tells us when we’re drifting into another lane. In addition, the vehicle will buzz and warn us if we look poised to fall asleep at the wheel.

Smart vehicles can scan the road for pedestrians, animals, or other cars. Effectively, smart vehicles bridge the gap between older, analog cars and the AI-driven autonomous vehicles still being perfected at places like Google and Tesla.

Finding the Best Ways to Relieve Stress in Parking

Our smart vehicles memorize how each driver likes the seat and mirrors and warn us if we’re about to back into a bus or integrate our G.P.S. with traffic reports and road hazard alerts. But, the best is yet to come as smart vehicles are finding new and fascinating ways to help take the stress out of parking.

If the car does any cool sci-fi thing —  except drive itself or flies (and there’s no saying our future flying vehicles can’t be smart, too!) — it is a smart vehicle.

Parking Smarter, Not Harder

Smart Parking refers to a whole suite of technologies and innovations that makes it easier to find a place to stop your car.

Smart vehicles will integrate with one another with specialized smart parking apps and smart spaces within the city to efficiently and painlessly find spaces near their drivers’ destinations.

Though it seems like just one more component in the tapestry of IoT, Smart Parking will drastically reduce the drain on people’s time while on the job, running errands, or out enjoying themselves, and contribute significantly to the efficiency and livability of our developing Smart Cities.

Innovation in Smart Car Tech

The best way to understand the different ways that smart vehicles will change how we park is to look at the many new innovations in smart car technology. What difference can each type of technology make in the parking experience?

The better we understand what’s next for smart vehicles, the better prepared we’ll be to leverage the technology and reshape how we get around our smart cities.

Communication Skills in Smart Tech, Including Smart City Parking

Perhaps the foundational and most important innovation in smart vehicle technology is the Internet of Things itself. This means the communication skills and interconnectedness of cars with online uplinks.

Stable onboard internet connections

As more vehicles are produced with stable onboard internet connections, they will be able to form a network and communicate to create a comprehensive, shared picture of what’s happening on the road.

Accidents and Roadblocks

Not only will accidents and blockages be reported immediately, encouraging drivers to reroute before a traffic jam can form — but accidents can also be avoided entirely as a mechanical breakdown. One vehicle can be promptly reported to other cars in the area, allowing them to stop immediately.

Car-to-Car Internet Communication

If any single invention besides A.I. is vital to the advent of autonomous vehicles, it’s car-to-car internet communication.

Not surprisingly, car-to-car communication is just as helpful in finding a place to stop as where and when to go. Cars on the network could communicate where drivers are going. When someone is leaving a nearby parking space, internet communication can coordinate the timing of arrivals and departures so that one vehicle is scheduled to arrive just as the other departs.

For either street or lot parking, the interconnectedness of the internet signals can create a seamless transition between vehicles. Every parking period can effectively become scheduled and automated, with every car in the network communicating parking spot availability seamlessly.

The J.A.R.V.I.S. Experience

Remember how before he became a lovesick magenta robot and lost his dry wit, Tony Stark’s supercomputer in the Avengers movies was called J.A.R.V.I.S.? Tony could control J.A.R.V.I.S. through slick, intuitive hand motions to make projected holographic images grow and shrink, spin and zoom?

Just Move Your Hands to Contact Your Vehicle

That incredibly nerdy J.A.R.V.I.S. reference is an example of a system employing 3D gestures, which users use to interact with computers by moving their hands. The hand movement responds to augmented reality (or, if we’re really being futuristic, projected) interface.

No interface is even necessary so long as the gestures are precise. But soon, we will be able to select music, set climate preferences, speed up or slow down, and otherwise wholly control our vehicles just by moving our hands.

How does a system of 3D gestures change parking?

Imagine approaching your destination and seeing a 3D image of the nearest parking structure. The image can highlight parking spots closest to your destination through IoT that is likely to become available soon.

All you need to do is point to the spot you want to park then your navigation system will lead you to the parking structure you prefer — and just in time.

Soon, just like swiping on a smartphone — you will be able to move between potential spaces and set parking times. You’ll even be able to use gestures to maneuver into and out of spots or call another vehicle out from tight spaces when returning from errands.

All World Gadgets Integrated into Your Car

No discussion of the Internet of Things is complete without talking about all the connected things and all those that will be interconnected in the future.

As we integrate all our devices into the IoT, we will definitely include our vehicles, which will be connected with our phones, our smartwatches, and our home organization devices like Siri, Alexa, or Cortana.

This interconnectivity means we will never be far from a way to communicate with our cars. For example, a simple tap of a phone or watch could draw a car out of a parking spot. In addition, you’ll be able to interface with your vehicle’s cameras to see if a more desirable area has opened up nearby to remotely pilot the car into a better, closer parking spot.

While relaxing at home before running errands, drivers could reserve parking spaces using their home organization tools, merging the seamlessness of the IoT with the convenience of smart parking — and smart everything else.

Automation Rules the Nation

When discussing smart city parking as a concept, most people’s thoughts likely go to a feature many vehicles already possess: automated parking. Automated parking refers to vehicles that can perform the maneuver of parking on their own.

Some vehicles can only park in perpendicular spaces (think parking lots), while newer models can parallel park so quickly that many people will have flashbacks to their driving exams.

This automation parking feature, still most common in upper-mid or upscale automobiles, is a bit of simple autonomous driving that is worked into an otherwise human-controlled vehicle. So its utility for parking is pretty straightforward, right?

Automated parking helps you park, but sparing drivers the hassle of scooching into a tiny parallel spot is just the beginning of what semi-autonomous parking can do to advance the cause of smart parking.

How Much Autonomy Will Your Car Possess?

With just a bit more autonomy, these vehicles could pull into and out of parking spots all independently. Can you picture your car dropping you off at the door of your destination and then self-piloting over to your network-designated location?

The car could then do the same thing in reverse and pull out of the spot and pick the driver up where they’d gotten out.

Rather than full, AI-driven autonomy, this feature would harness interconnectivity to control all the connected cars in a lot — like cogs in a machine. The car would move through a smart city parking space in a designated order, using existing collision detection features to avoid accidents.

Cameras on Cars and Other Vehicles for Smart Parking in Smart Cities

Many vehicles currently have cameras on them. From the complex array of cameras, RADAR, LIDAR, SONAR, and more on an autonomous vehicle to the backup cameras on a standard sedan, smart cars are brimming with visual recording devices.

These cameras are used primarily for navigation and safety to help drivers find their way and maneuver without causing accidents. But thanks to the IoT, a car laden with cameras is a moving source of helpful information about traffic, road conditions, and smart city parking for other vehicles out and about.

Connected to the Network, a Car Easily Moves Through the City

As cars connected to the network move through the city, their cameras could film the conditions on the road and the presence of parking spots. They could then inform other cars on the smart city parking network that these spots are available.

With straightforward communication or interconnectedness — even vehicles or their owners not on the network could have interconnectedness through their phone’s presence be factored into the network’s data. All drivers could know when a spot is available regardless of whether the past occupant is uplinked or not.

Applying analytics to this data could help create predictive trend models for parking in any area, accurately projecting where and how frequently spots become available to guide the smart parking process.

Smart City Parking Lots — Lots Better

Smart parking will benefit more than just drivers and vehicle owners — it will also be a significant source of efficiency and monetization for the owners of parking lots.

The IoT-connected smart cars can schedule each other’s parking times and locations, then interface with participating parking lots to position every vehicle into the most advantageous spots.

With IoT in cities, will mean smart city parking. It will even be possible to rotate an entire garage’s worth of cars using the IoT to reposition vehicles to more convenient locations.

Automated parking garages use complex machinery to move immobile vehicles around. With a fully connected smart garage, the cars would move independently, programmed in concert through the IoT.

Automated parking also means that vehicles can park much closer together.

Without drivers and passengers needing to get in and out, cars can park inches apart, dramatically saving space and allowing lots to fit in many more cars. In addition, using the same system, these cars can all move through the lot automatically, which means that drivers can leave their vehicles at the lot entry.

The network of interlinked vehicles in smart city parking would maneuver their car into a good parking spot and then wait at the designated location for their car to come rolling up on its own.

Park-by-car could keep pedestrians out of the parking lot itself, increasing both safety and smoothness of operations. Vehicles in smart city parking would enter and exit spots without waiting for pedestrians to pass.

Conclusion

Smart city parking is, again, just one of the many ways in which the Internet of Things will empower our devices to facilitate a streamlined modern culture better.

Every new innovation in smart automobile technology will have its own effect on smart parking, making the process more and more efficient.

For those of us who will never give up our right to enjoy driving, smart city parking will at least take the hassle out of looking for a great parking spot and will make sure that lot proprietors can maximize the value of their space.

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Near the end of 2021, the United States was set to reach a historic high for the number of battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs) sold. Statistics showed a rise of more than 88% through the end of September. Yet, despite that impressive growth, the same study indicated EVs only accounted for 3% of new car sales during the year.

The Future of Electric Vehicles

The researchers pointed out that car shoppers only had about 20 fully electric models available to buy during the study period. What’s more, most were high-end models, out of reach of many consumers who may otherwise seriously think about owning them.

If CES 2022 is any indication, electric car enthusiasts will have a lot to get excited about soon. Many of the debuted models may not be among the most affordable. However, they’ll have style and features to spare.

Sony Launches New Prototype, Announces EV Business Arm

When people think of Sony, most probably envision televisions and game consoles. However, its leaders signaled a new direction at CES 2022. It will establish an operating company called Sony Mobility, Inc. in the spring of this year, then use it to explore EV market opportunities.

However, Sony isn’t starting from scratch. First, it had an EV prototype called the VISION-S 01, which underwent public road testing. Then, the company introduced the CES crowd to the new VISION-S 02, a sleek SUV.

Various sensors installed on the vehicle help it perceive and analyze three-dimensional space. The system also gives driver alerts, such as through the vehicle’s sound system, to help people stay aware of potential hazards.

Time-of-flight (ToF) sensors inside the car will help the vehicle recognize authorized drivers. They also let people make gestures to perform commands. Customization is the main draw of this car, too.

Each user can customize the car’s display interface and even tweak how the vehicle sounds as it accelerates or slows.

A look at the car’s entertainment offerings shows Sony returning to some other products it sells. For example, if a person has a PlayStation at home, a remote-link feature lets them connect to that console to get engrossed in games while inside the vehicle.

They can also use cloud connectivity to download new games. In addition, speakers built into the seats cater to music lovers by recreating the experience of being surrounded by sound at a concert by a favorite artist.

It’s too early to say whether Sony’s official foray into electric vehicles will have a significant impact.

However, it’s promising that the brand had the second of its two prototypes ready to show off at CES. The way Sony fares after this bold move could influence whether other non-car brands decide to venture into the electric vehicles sector.

Volvo Teases Fully Autonomous Driving for Forthcoming Electric Vehicle

The concept of getting into a car and reaching the destination without ever touching the steering wheel has fascinated people for a while. However, Volvo is among the brands intending to make it a reality for some car owners.

While at CES, the auto brand announced stronger partnerships with Luminar, Google, and Qualcomm. Company leaders say those entities will help Volvo move towards a more tech-focused future that includes being a fully electric car company by 2030.

Volvo also previewed planned outcomes of such tech parings. Mats Moberg, head of research and development at Volvo Cars, said, “We are proud to announce the planned U.S. launch of our first truly unsupervised autonomous driving feature, as we look to set a new industry standard for autonomy without compromising safety.”

The autonomous technology includes more than 24 sensors, including Luminar’s high-tech lidar sensor that interacts with the system’s specially developed software.

Moberg continued, “Having Zenseact’s brand new [autonomous driving] software and Luminar’s lidar standard in our new fully electric SUV is a game-changer for Volvo Cars, as well as for automotive safety and autonomous driving.”

California residents will get the first chance to have the so-called Ride Pilot feature on their cars before the brand proceeds with a broader rollout.

Volvo intends to help people expand what they do while traveling. Thanks to Ride Pilot, their cars will take them where they need to go while the individuals inside engage in activities like reading or writing.

However, the chip shortage affecting Volvo could disrupt these ambitious plans. Its December 2021 sales fell by 18.1% due to the global lack of semiconductors. It’s certainly not alone in dealing with the issue, though, with many other automakers in similar positions.

There’s no single solution to the component shortage, and analysts believe it’s not ending anytime soon. Fortunately, when automakers and people working in other in-demand industries have excellent inventory visibility, it’s easier to adapt as conditions change.

Many tools have built-in forecasting and scalability features, helping users see current statistics and possible scenarios.

Mercedes-Benz Targets Eco-Conscious Electric Vehicle Enthusiasts

The opportunity to drive without relying on fossil fuels is a significant factor in many people’s decision to get EVs. They like that plugging in for power is good for the planet. Plus, it eliminates the money they spend filling up at the gas station pump.

Many individuals make planet-conscious decisions that span far beyond transportation and extend to all aspects of their lives. Mercedes-Benz has those people in its sights with the VISION EQXX electric car. It has fantastic examples of what manufacturers can do if they think creatively about using non-traditional materials.

The interior features vegan leather is made from prickly-pear cactus and mushrooms’ root systems. Then, the door trim and steering wheel have a polyester material made from recycled plastic bottles.

While the carpets include 100-percent bamboo fibers, Mercedes-Benz achieved an auto industry first by working with a vegan silk company. That luxurious material covers the door pulls.

The VISION EQXX also takes major steps in conquering range anxiety. It boasts 620 miles per charge and even has roof solar panels to charge a supplemental battery powering the car’s ancillary systems.

The automobile’s coupe-like body has an aerodynamic design, while the battery pack under the hood is lighter than those in other vehicles from the automaker.

Both of those aspects should help with energy efficiency, too. Mercedes-Benz plans to have this vehicle on the market by 2024.

Chrysler Brings its First All-Electric Vehicle to CES 2022

It may surprise you to learn that Chrysler never had an all-electric vehicle at CES before this year. However, it revealed a change in the future with a white Airflow Concept, which should be available to purchase by 2025.

The automobile’s front and back have two 150-kilowatt batteries. They should collectively provide 350-400 miles of range and allow people to power up quickly via a fast-charging feature.

The chassis has animated LED lights for an eye-catching look. People can also get interesting perspectives of the passing scenery through the panoramic roof. A look inside the vehicle reveals an unusual, oval-shaped steering wheel beside a much larger display screen.

There’s yet another screen mounted to entertain the front-seat passenger. This one is smaller, indicating the brand’s push to help people bring their digital lives with them on every trip.

People who own this Chrysler model can also use it for Level 3 autonomous driving. Plus, since the car supports over-the-air updates, it’s easy for owners to stay current with the latest features.

Despite the Airflow Concept’s appealing style and user-friendly features, some analysts wonder if Chrysler has left it too late to entice people with electric vehicles.

The increasing availability of other models from brands more established in the EV market may mean consumers don’t consider Chrysler a go-to option.

The Electric Vehicle Market is Getting More Exciting

People seeking inspiration from electric vehicles can find it in this CES 2022 coverage and articles elsewhere.

These new cars show us what’s possible.

Still, it’s unclear whether the manufacturers in question can overcome obstacles such as the chip shortage and road tests showing autonomous driving is a safe option.

In any case, we have a lot to look forward to while watching the electric vehicle market evolve.

Image Credit: Pixabay; Pexels; Thank you

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Global 5G adoption is set to hit 1 billion this year, with connections rapidly growing over the past few months. For the stakeholders in the logistics industry, 5G technology represents a fresh hope to bury the long-lasting challenges that the industry has endured. However, 5G has a lot more to offer than just lower latencies and faster speeds.

There’s no question that 5G will significantly affect the logistics industry, but it’s a matter of what that effect is. There’s reason to believe that 5G will make the logistics industry safer, and more efficient.

The scope of possibility for the logistics industry is vast; 5G in logistics can enable better decision-making, risk mitigation, and autonomous shipping. All these lay the ground for even further advancements, ultimately revolutionizing how we do logistics today. As the new digitized supply chains define how we do business, the logistics aspect must reinvent itself to meet modern demands.

Minimize Supply Chain Risks

With its high level of complexity in the logistics industry, innovative technologies can make a significant difference. This is especially true for supply chain visibility, one of the top concerns for logistics professionals today as they battle the perennial challenge of ensuring safe and secure transportation of goods.

The COVID-19 has exacerbated this problem, as only 6% of companies now report complete supply chain visibility. 

Providing more bandwidth and higher speeds, 5G networks will make it much easier for people and companies worldwide to track their shipments and monitor their inventory in real-time using IoT devices.

With so much information available about the location, condition, and status of every parcel or shipment at any given time, logistics companies can provide detailed updates on delivery progress and deal with customer queries faster and more effectively.

On its part, 5G will provide the network foundation that makes IoT work more efficiently. By 2026, the 5G IoT market is expected to be valued at a massive $40 billion.

The high bandwidth, low latency, low-energy requirements of 5G networks mean that more connected devices can be supported in better ways than before. In general, 5G will make it possible to track several parameters at once and allow for more accessible and more cost-efficient solutions. 

Autonomous Trucks

Trucking is one of the most important aspects of shipping. As of 2019, road freight transport (mainly by trucks) amounted to over 75% of inland freight transport. 5G is set to revolutionize how road freight is done, marking the shift from labor-intensive processes to a lean and efficient operation.

The advent of autonomous trucks on public roads will be a game-changer for the logistics industry. It will significantly reduce transit times, human resources, and vehicle costs, resulting in significant cost savings for businesses. It will mainly be a massive boost for companies transporting heavy-duty goods, ensuring cheap car shipping and large machines.

However, fully autonomous trucks that require are still some way off regular use. In addition, a lot of work needs to be done on safety before they can be used on public roads. Nevertheless, it’s clear that 5G will be an essential part of this development because it can provide the extremely low latency required for autonomous vehicles to make split-second decisions.

Predictive Decision-Making

Predictive decision-making is critical in logistics, where decisions are often based on imperfect information about the present and future conditions. For example, a predictive solution might suggest that delivery routes should be adjusted to minimize travel time or that goods should be delivered earlier to avoid potential supply chain disruptions caused by weather or other factors.

Since data analytics is a crucial enabler of 5G adoption, as the amount of data generated increases, we expect 5G networks to help us make better decisions through faster access to more information.

Applied to the logistics industry, 5G will allow for more connected devices and sensors to be used in predictive decision-making within logistics. This will improve inventory management, reduce costs and increase customer satisfaction. 

The advanced 5G technology would enhance recording data from sensors placed on vehicles or containers, including traffic congestion, weather conditions, temperature, humidity levels, and various shipping conditions. This data can then be used with geolocation information to predict issues that might affect transport routes.

Conclusion

The multitude of advantages associated with 5G and the prospect of higher bandwidths will open up technologies in the Internet of Things, autonomous driving, data analytics, and more. And since it’s only just getting started, the real question is how to make the most of 5Gs potential. 

With all the promises 5G has in store, there’s no doubt that it could be a dream come true for logistics companies globally as its adoption expands.

5G will bring new and unique business opportunities to logistics companies and improve collaboration between suppliers and customers.

Image Credit: Provided by Author; from ADMC from Pixabay; Thank you!

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Technological Innovations have changed the way business is being done in almost all sectors of the world. In the case of freight and logistics, they are undoubtedly transforming the industry. We’ve seen technologies like cloud computing, big data, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile technologies, and social media gaining prevalence over the past few years. 

Transforming the Freight and Logistics Industry

The game-changer these technologies deliver for this industry has been tremendous. These digital transformations are fast becoming a business enabler for many companies working in this sector from operational to strategic perspectives.

This article explores some of these game-changer technologies and how they will impact the freight and logistics industry in 2022.

• Blockchain

By 2025, the global blockchain in the transportation and logistics industry is expected to be worth over $765.5 million. The advantages of blockchain technology for logistics companies are clear: blockchain helps solve problems like fraud and human error, reduces costs and increases efficiency. One primary way to achieve this is through smart contracts.

Transactions in logistics are carried out based on multiple documents like bills of lading, consignment notes, warehouse warrants, insurance certificates, etc. For example, clearing goods through the authorities involves numerous steps and approvals from various bodies like port authorities, customs agents, or other government organizations.

Blockchain-based smart contracts can help streamline these processes by providing a single source of truth for all parties involved in the transaction. These contracts remove manual processing because they automatically execute themselves when certain conditions are met.

A blockchain solution enables multiple organizations to work together while reducing costs by eliminating duplication of data entry and the need for multiple reconciliations between parties.

• Internet of Things

The IoT offers logistics providers plenty of opportunities for improving efficiency, cutting costs, and reducing risk. The logistics industry is increasingly turning to IoT devices and the data they collect to gain greater visibility into warehouses, distribution centers, and in-transit assets.

For example, IoT sensors can track location, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors to help ensure that goods are stored under the right conditions.

IoT in logistics enables remote asset monitoring where it is possible to track and monitor assets on the move. This ultimately reduces maintenance costs due to early detection of inefficiencies or faults to enable preventive action, reduced insurance premiums, and more efficient route optimization based on real-time data. Companies involved in cheap car shipping services or other heavy goods can lower their costs because of the adoption of IoT technology.

• 3D Printing

Because of the ability to print on demand, companies can now offer a broader range of customized products than ever before. Logistics companies such as DHL hail 3D printing as the future of supply chains. And with an optimized supply chain, logistics receives a boost.

The automotive industry is already making good use of 3D printing by delivering customized vehicle parts to their customers. With this technology, manufacturing can be completely tailored to customer demand, leading to better customer service and reduced warehouse inventory. This ultimately allows the company to save on production costs. 

In addition, point-of-sale production is an excellent way by which 3D printing can revolutionize the logistics industry, as opposed to being produced in bulk at centralized locations and shipped out to distribution centers and retail stores. It enhances supply chain management because distribution times are shorter.

• Cloud Computing

The logistics industry relies heavily on supply chain management, so many companies are turning to cloud solutions to automate planning, organizing, and tracking shipments. This frees up staff members to handle other tasks while improving efficiency. 

Cloud computing has become increasingly popular in the logistics industry, as it can help businesses reduce their operating costs, increase efficiency, and improve back-office operations. 

The logistics industry is the perfect place for cloud systems to thrive because it involves information from several sources, such as carriers, ports, airports, and customers. Cloud computing models also provide greater flexibility for companies to scale capacity up or down depending on the demand for their products, service, or information.

• Data Analytics

The vast amount of data available today has a significant impact on the company’s success, but it is only by using this data that its value can be fully exploited. In the logistics industry, the advent of IoT has increased the number of channels for data collection, which, when analyzed, can enable these companies to understand their operations better. 

The continual extension of supply lines over the years also presents more opportunities for stakeholders to collect and act upon valuable data. Weather conditions, seasonal trends, traffic patterns, fleet schedules, supply movement, etc.: these are excellent sources for collecting valuable data. Analytics software comes in handy here, helping logistics industries make better decisions based on quantifiable metrics. 

Conclusion

Due to rapid advancements in transportation technology, freight and logistics have been experiencing a revolution of sorts. Looking back at the past decade, we can see just how much technology has evolved both in the freight and logistics industry and with ordinary consumers. 

With innovations like blockchain technology, cloud computing, data analytics, 3D printing, Internet of Things, one thing’s for sure – there are exciting times ahead. As logistics technology continues to advance, companies will be able to process more freight quickly, more efficiently, and with lower costs than ever before. 

Image Credit: Gerd Altmann; Pixabay; Thank you!

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Governments can use public transport data to inform policymaking. Commuters benefit from real-time data on traffic or public-transport status. Yet, the biggest—and largely overlooked—use for mobile data could be for businesses themselves. 

Infrastructure planning firms, research organizations, and banks use cutting-edge data sources to help make cities smarter. For investors, mobility data plays a role as a useful indicator of economic trends. More widely, all businesses benefit from understanding how their customers move, and where they travel every day. But what’s even better is finding the next set of customers that will help grow your business. 

Mobility Data Unlocks Opportunities in Emerging-Market Megacities

Innovative mapping and data-gathering technologies reveal previously unseen patterns in people’s movements, particularly in emerging markets, where data production starts from a much lower baseline. This information is helping firms make better decisions on how and where to invest. 

For any consumer-facing firm, mobility data can unlock a new view into potential customers, including the over 2 billion people in emerging-market megacities who rely entirely on public transport. 

Innovation Brings New Data Sources 

Traditional mobility data comes from point-in-time measurements such as traffic counts or public-transport ridership estimates. Expensive and time-consuming to collect, these older tools leave governments largely blind to the dynamism of the mobility ground truth in their cities. The methods are also of limited use to investors looking at market trends, or looking for new opportunities to build out real estate and infrastructure along transport thoroughfares. 

We can now do much better. GPS tracking from mobile phones is one example, cutting across transport modes to tell us where people walk, bike, drive, or ride. Smarter traffic lights can serve as information sources while also giving pedestrians the time they need to cross the street. Many companies are working to create platforms that integrate new and traditional data sources to build a comprehensive model of the entire city. 

Better Data for Smarter Cities 

At the highest level, mobility data tells us where people are going and when. But it can also tell us where people want to go, but can’t. 

In other words, we can now quickly see where there is a mismatch between what cities offer and what citizens want. Businesses can find opportunities in those gaps. 

Planning firms and research

Take infrastructure planning firms, research organizations, and banks, which all form part of the tapestry of organizations that help make and implement urban planning decisions. 

Their influence comes largely through advice for planning and research firms, which improves with better data use. For example, improved survey technology also allows consulting and planning firms to collect statistically significant samples of origin-destination data—telling us not just which public transport routes are heavily used, but where the passengers actually want to go. 

Using GPS mobile phone data

INRIX, a transport data firm, pulled in individual GPS mobile phone data to understand the impact of pedestrianization programs on mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic. Importantly, the data goes beyond anything that is publicly available. For the good data that leads to good advice, the value far outweighs the cost. 

Banks using mobility data

Banks are using data to prioritize mobility investments. The World Bank, for example, worked with a team in Kenya to identify crash hotspots (blogsdotworldbankdotorg) in the Nairobi road network. The analysis is helping prioritize investments with the Bank’s financing. 

Financing transport infrastructure investments

When financing transport infrastructure investments, banks can now account for the entire mobility landscape. For example, the World Bank contracted my firm, WhereIsMyTransport, to provide comprehensive public transport network data for seven African cities. The Bank used this data to inform its investment evaluations for bus, rail, and other urban planning considerations across the continent. 

Using a central source of reliable data

In each of these cities, the effort was the first time that the organization had benefited from a central source of comprehensive and reliable public transport network data, including the flexible and privately run vehicles that make up the vast majority of the network. In most emerging-market cities, more than two-thirds of public transport services operate in this way, without fixed timetables or fares, and with varying oversight from government entities. 

Ten years ago, collecting data on independently operated public transport outside the sphere of government-run services would have been impossible (or at least prohibitively expensive). Now, with data-gathering software built for the purpose, it’s scalable to every city in the world. 

Mobility Data Means Big Business 

Aggregated mobility data give investors valuable economic clues. For example, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Google and Apple have provided summary mobility reports that have helped inform policy but have also been crucial for investors. 

Economics research firms.

Economics research firms now view information on people’s movements as an integral source of “alternative data” that they gather and sell to hedge funds and other investors. For example, Bloomberg notes that mobility data can be “a direct reflection of economic activity and… provides insights into the direction of the economy.”

Granular mobility data can tip off businesses.

On the other end of the spectrum, granular mobility data can tip off businesses about where their customers go or where their next customers are. Just as governments want to know what type of street reforms attract people, companies are looking to invest in the types of areas that tend to prosper. They also want to invest in places where people are already traveling but aren’t yet well served. 

A simple heuristic for placing your business to reach consumers: find the roads or public transport that move people between home and work. Indeed, research shows many companies do this already. For example, a study from the Netherlands showed that when firms move, they typically choose locations near roads or public transport.

Helpful transport links on a map.

Looking at transport links on a map seems to be a fairly old-school way to locate a business, far removed from the cutting-edge recommendations that ReadWrite readers look for. Instead, the innovation comes from going a level deeper, looking at individual movements daily, and looking at places where even a map is proprietary. 

92% of the largest lower-middle-income cities lack a complete map of their public transport network, suggesting large gaps in mobility data more broadly. But, particularly with newly available datasets in emerging economies, we now have comprehensive information on how people move in the world’s largest, fastest-growing cities. While getting your hands on that data can come with a cost, doing so gives a leg up over other firms.

Direct to the customer e-commerce.

Reaching people in emerging-market megacities is one of the few fast-growing global markets where there has been relatively little serious competition from heavyweight developed-world organizations.

Although that is now changing, with investments flowing in from telecoms to direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Traditionally, businesses tend to be local, as international players are deterred by information barriers and the perception that these markets are complex and unpredictable. Nevertheless, the scale argument is easily answered: a Brookings Institution study of the world’s largest cities found that 80 percent of the top 60 performers came from emerging markets.  

The information barriers are quickly breaking down.

Traditionally, supply chains in emerging-market cities are hyperlocal by necessity, since shops and wholesalers need to be on the ground to respond to demand. As a result, companies must sell through several layers of distributors to finally reach consumers. Each layer adds costs, decreasing the market’s attractiveness. 

That is no longer the case. With city-level datasets, businesses can play on equal footing, knowing where their customers go each day, how they get to work, and which shopping centers they stop at on the way. 

Showing the Way Forward

New sources of mobility data are improving our cities and bringing new opportunities for businesses. Especially in emerging markets, now is the time to put that information to work.

Image Credit: martin pechy; pexels; thank you!

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