Tag Archives: Autonomous Vehicles

The world is relying more than ever on automation and robots to get the job done. How do these human-less machines improve efficiency? Here are seven innovations reshaping manufacturing and related industries.

1. V2X Communication

Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication is integral to the development of self-driving cars. With V2X capabilities, the car sends and receives information from other vehicles, energy grids and smartphones. Automobiles have yet to reach SAE level 5 autonomy, though V2X has already benefited manufacturers in existing vehicles.

For example, it can warn cars of nearby emergency vehicles and help them avoid collisions. V2X has another role in efficiency by improving fuel economy and reducing wait times. With enabled devices, manufacturers can implement automated platooning to minimize drag and consume less diesel. Communicating with the grid also informs vehicles about roads to avoid when jams occur.

2. Autonomous Ships

While research on self-driving vehicles focuses on the road, other experts have concentrated on autonomous ships. When deployed, these crewless boats can operate alone and without human intervention. Maritime professionals can control the vessel if needed, but autonomous boats leverage IoT sensors and other technologies to avoid collisions.

Autonomous ships have yet to become widespread, though some organizations have conducted trials in short voyages. Maritime experts say these crewless vessels could benefit the industry through advanced safety and efficiency. With autonomous systems, ships can optimize routes further and operate continuously. They also use data analytics for predictive maintenance and optimized shipping routes.

3. Delivery Robots

The timely arrival of goods is vital for order fulfillment and customer satisfaction. How can robots help companies reach their clients? Delivery robots are another example of autonomous innovation that improves efficiency. These machines take over the last mile and bring goods to the destination. While popular for restaurants, delivery robots have spread to other businesses.

Due to widespread use, the delivery robot market is expected to be worth $3.2 billion by 2032. Companies have incorporated them into their operations because they can reduce labor and fuel costs.

4. Drones

Drones are another significant autonomous innovation used across industries. These machines can access hard-to-reach areas and provide quality information, thus saving time. When deployed on construction sites, drones operate as flying security cameras on building sites and protect equipment. They can also track progress and recognize safety issues before they hurt employees.

Manufacturers have used drones to streamline processes and reduce waste. For instance, BMW deploys these crewless aircraft to check inventory and improve accuracy. General Electric (GE) has developed autonomous drones to inspect wind turbines, aircraft engines and other essential equipment. Manufacturers also benefit from drones when emergencies arise and rapid deployment is necessary for mitigation.

5. Brick-Laying Robots

Monotonous work can take time and energy away from more important jobs. Experts say nearly half of workers spend most of their time doing repetitive tasks. How can autonomous technology remove the time-consuming, monotonous tasks? In construction, industry professionals are turning to brick-laying robots.

Automating masonry is vital when building houses and office buildings. These machines can outpace humans in brick-laying without needing a break, thus reducing construction timelines and costs. Hadrian X is among the pioneers in brick-laying robots, and this technology recently arrived in the U.S. Reports indicate the machine had a sustained rate of 300 blocks per hour in testing.

6. Farming Equipment

Agriculture is crucial to the global economy, as it feeds communities and provides jobs. The world’s increasing population necessitates autonomous technology to meet demand while maintaining sustainability in the sector. In recent years, research and development has introduced driverless tractors, harvesters and planters to reduce labor needs and improve production.

Autonomous tractors benefit farms by working longer than humans and increasing precision in crop fields. Professors from the University of Missouri said this farming equipment could extend agricultural careers if farm owners have mobility or age-related issues. Other prominent features of autonomous tractors include GPS tracking, LiDAR and sensors for monitoring soil health.

7. Cleaning Robots

Devices like Roomba and iRobot have eased the cleaning burden in homes and smaller facilities. However, autonomous innovation has powered larger machines for manufacturing and industrial settings. These robots help janitorial staff clean more efficiently, thus reducing labor costs and improving hygiene. With continuous operations, they can clean overnight and support production schedules.

Autonomous cleaners have become versatile and efficient thanks to LiDAR, infrared sensors and similar technologies. These features help the robots detect obstacles, understand their surroundings and determine what needs cleaning. Recent innovations like the compact X4 Rovr assist manufacturers by fitting into small spaces and using AI-powered navigation technology.

Using Autonomous Technology to Build the Future

Industries are racing toward automation because of its efficiency opportunities. While challenges exist, companies have embraced these technologies because of heightened safety and sustainability. These machines and small devices can operate with minimal breaks, thus increasing output and reducing labor costs. From automotive to agricultural settings, autonomous innovations are rapidly changing the manufacturing landscape.

*This article is written by Jack Shaw. Jack is a seasoned automotive industry writer with over six years of experience. As the senior writer for Modded, he combines his passion for vehicles, manufacturing and technology with his expertise to deliver engaging content that resonates with enthusiasts worldwide.

Back to top ↑

The last couple of decades have seen some significant changes affecting the logistics industry, and the supply chain as a whole. New regulations to working practices have forced fleets to more carefully monitor drivers, and make adjustments to ensure efficiency is maintained. The driver shortage also remains a problem, with some agencies predicting that the deficit could rise to 160,000 within the next decade.

Rising alongside these challenges, though, are technological advances. Some of them have the potential to help solve the prevalent issues of our industry, others could transform the shipping business as we know it. Technology continues to develop at a rapid rate, and advances such as artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous vehicles are already starting to make an impact in the logistics industry.

We’re going to take a look at areas in which AI and autonomy both have the potential to alter the way the logistics industry does business, and how those we’ve already begun to embrace are developing. How might these affect the roles of workers in the sector, and what do we need to prepare for?

Fleet Management

Freight transportation is one of the most important industries to the health of the US economy. It not only provides a vital lifeline of essential products across the country, but it also gives us a valuable insight into consumer behavior and market fluctuations. When freight providers use tech tools to make their operations more efficient, there’s an opportunity to keep this indispensable economic resource serving the nation effectively.

For many companies, these operations take the form of ground freight — the use of fleets of trucks to quickly and cheaply deliver goods. In this sector, fleet management is an essential tool, which has also become one of the early adopters of AI software. With multiple mobile assets and constantly evolving variables such as road conditions and weather patterns, AI software does the grunt work of receiving and analyzing data. This software also factors in information from maps and vehicle service history, allowing for predictive maintenance. As a result, managers receive real-time predictions that allow them to make efficient advanced plans, and adjust them swiftly when conditions change.

One of the positives of utilizing AI in fleet management is its ability to keep learning. Collecting data from devices such as onboard vehicle diagnostics, GPS, and camera footage, the software is being fed evolving information that allows it to improve the predictions it makes. AI is reliant upon the quality of data and engaging with other tools that allow fleets to build better industry networks, and sharing important operational information can be key in giving AI platforms the information they need to bolster the entire logistics industry.

Safety Driven by Technology

Safety continues to be a key concern across the fleet industry. In recent years we’ve seen regulations come into effect that restrict the hours that drivers can be on the road, and technology — in the form of electronic logging devices that track drivers movements — is a mandatory feature in remaining DOT compliant. However, fleets have begun to look beyond these basic requirements to discover new ways for AI and autonomous tech to keep everyone safe.

Fully autonomous trucking is neither practical nor safe just yet and is unlikely to make an appearance for several years to come. However, some limited autonomy has found its way into trucks to improve safety. Adaptive cruise control is a prominent example of level 2 automation. It uses a combination of radar and a camera to detect the distance of objects in front of the truck, regulating the speed of the vehicle to reduce the potential for emergency braking.

These small, incremental improvements serve to gradually build confidence in the industry and the public. Legislators have started to approve certain aspects of autonomy, and as a result, we’ve started to see a ramping up of testing. Volvo and FedEx have recently trialed automated platooning in Europe, using vehicle to vehicle (V2V) communications systems and advanced driver assistance (ADA) to allow multiple trucks to maintain close distances behind one another on highways safely.

Staff Supported, Not Replaced

One of the key concerns surrounding automated systems such as self-driving vehicles and AI is their effect on employment. However, it’s been clear from the way in which this technology has been used and trialed in the logistics industry so far that the preference is to support workers rather than replace them.

Recently, UPS and Waymo teamed up to pilot autonomous package pickup in the Phoenix Metro area. This kind of short distance usage, to fill in the gaps for efficiency, could be an indicator of how autonomous trucking is likely to advance. Last-mile delivery is one of the areas in which there is a deficit of drivers, and there are expectations that this could be the key focus for autonomy, rather than long-distance driving.

It’s important to note that trials for full autonomy have required the presence of a human expert on board or in a supervisory role. This could also be an indicator of a change of career path for those in the trucking industry. Rather than removing jobs from the freight sector, automation could see a range of new skilled positions being introduced. Drivers could see their roles expanding to become on the road automation technicians, too. Though fleets may also need to start planning for the raise in salary level such high skilled workers will be able to command.

Progressing Forward

While we are not yet in a fully autonomous, AI-controlled world, elements of this technology have started to appear across the logistics industry. The slow and steady approach that the sector is taking allows us to assess where the challenges might lay, and make sensible adjustments accordingly. Workers and leaders alike need to watch how these advances are progressing, and plan to make changes in their investments and skill sets accordingly.

This article is written by guest author Beau Peters. View more of Beau’s articles here.

Back to top ↑