Smart Industry No.1 2022

per vehicle plus another $4,000 for
tires. Many of the issues that arise
could be spotted earlier using IoT
technology. Cast in this light, smart
trucks would save an immense
amount of money while creating
safer, more efficient fleets at the
same time.
This aspect of AI, called predictive
maintenance, allows problems to
be addressed before they become
severe (and more expensive), generating
both peace of mind and
a better ROI in the process. It’s no
wonder that the vast majority of
trucking business owners firmly believe
that IoT technology is fundamental
to their future success.
Staying Fresh
Sensitive cargo, such as plants and
flowers or time-sensitive perishable
goods, have long been a source of
headaches for the entire industry.
IoT technology can automatically
adjust variables like temperature
and humidity in order to ensure
optimal conditions for such cargo.
Furthermore, it can help drivers
select the best routes, taking into
account road conditions, construction
zones and accidents to ensure
a timely and well-preserved delivery,
both of which are critical for
consistently happy customers.
In the home package delivery industry
(UPS and FedEx), the ability
to track individual items has already
led to increased customer satisfaction.
AI and IoT advancements will
allow this same functionality to be
applied to commercial trucking.
This industry, as much as any, can
use all the trust it can find in order to
future proof it for decades to come.
Last-mile deliveries and just-in-time
services are on the increase, which
means that every second makes a
difference in logistic success rates.
Robots working alongside personnel
in warehouses or working independently
and fully automated,
have already made significant improvements
in efficiency and timesaving
procedures.
Speedier loading and unloading
times allow trucks to complete
more orders in a day. We’re already
seeing the latest robotics technologies
implemented in warehouses
run by companies, such as FedEx,
with impressive results. Automation
in the warehouse is another
way to mitigate issues caused by
worker shortages and offers another
key investment area that could
save the industry millions.
An example of IoT-based solutions
for the trucking industry is App-
Weigh. It is a specially designed
mobile app which uses Bluetoothenabled
weight sensors to measure
the load on air suspension trucks
and trailers throughout shipment.
The truck weight is directly sent to
the drivers on their smartphones
to keep them informed and ensure
their trucks and goods are safely
and legally loaded to their destination.
This app can be useful to
individual truck owners as well as
Weighing In
AppWeigh is a Bluetooth
weight sensor
and app for air suspension
trucks and
trailers that displays
truck weight on a
smartphone to help
truckers load safely
and legally.
transportation and trucking companies
as they alert the drivers and
managers when the weight in the
vehicle crosses the permissible limit
and enables them to take immediate
action.
Endless Potential
There’s no questioning the fact that
robotics, IoT and AI have already
enabled, and will continue to facilitate,
disruption in the trucking
industry, helping business owners
save time and money, while staying
on top of a rapidly changing and
often unpredictable sector. Datadriven
and tech-centric developments
have been the catalysts for
the digital transformation currently
underway within trucking. From all
indications, it appears the industry
will act as a bellwether for the
future of automated vehicles and
logistics.
While many of the technological advances
predicted for the trucking industry
remain in their earliest stages,
it’s clear that the business of trucking
has responded positively and is
quick to adopt the latest IoT developments.
With the potential to
source ©: SKT Technologies Inc.
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