For years, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have been working in the background to optimize logistics in the freight industry. More recently, the benefits – and potential dangers – of AI have become more popular as companies like OpenAI, Google, and IBM open their trained algorithms to more users.
Most professionals believe AI will play an essential role in the future of freight tracking. But what will those roles look like, and how will they change the way logistics companies function?
Improved Efficiency For Seamless Supply Chains
Global logistics company DHL says AI will lead to self-learning supply chains that automatically adjust to changes in the real world. AI can review amounts of data incomprehensible to the human brain, making it possible for well-trained algorithms to find the most efficient routes as variables shift.
Your company might already use GPS units to track shipments. AI can gather data from countless sources, create hypothetical routes, and choose the most efficient option to streamline supply chains. The future of freight tracking likely depends on these features.
As more logistics companies adopt AI, expect to see the future of freight tracking become increasingly efficient and reliable. Let’s say you need parts from an overseas manufacturer to build your company’s product. With more companies using AI and sharing data with partnerships, your system could identify a disruption at Source A and choose an alternative so you get the parts on time. Ideally, improved efficiency and seamless supply chains will mean your team stays on schedule regardless of events around the world.
The same technology helps ensure that products reach warehouses, retail stores, and consumers as quickly as possible. Same-day and next-day delivery could become standard expectations for companies operating in the same region.
Even when you work with partners outside of your region, you will stand out from competitors by letting AI shave days off your delivery times.
Lower Costs And Emissions
Transportation in the United States accounts for about 28% of greenhouse gas emissions. AI could lower those emissions considerably while helping freight companies save money.
Streamlining supply chains and choosing more efficient routes should automatically help companies lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the amount of fuel they use. The benefits of AI could go considerably further, though, by helping companies determine the best times to perform maintenance on vehicles. Carefully scheduled vehicle maintenance would mean trucks and vans use fuel as efficiently as possible. Preventative maintenance would also help companies avoid the high cost of replacing broken parts and taking vehicles off the road during repairs.
AI also has the potential to improve electric vehicle (EV) technology. Currently, EVs struggle to travel long distances because their batteries can’t hold enough power. Stopping to charge a large battery could add hours to delivery, so companies will likely avoid EVs until there’s a fast-charging infrastructure to support EV fleets. Again, AI could play important roles in helping engineers explore technologies that charge batteries quickly and safely.
As fossil fuels become more scarce, expect costs to increase. Embracing EV technology developed by AI and experienced engineers will let companies avoid the high – not to mention volatile – cost of gasoline and other fossil fuels.
The future of freight tracking must include ways to lower carbon emissions. AI provides the insights companies need to streamline their shipping processes.
The Role GPS Trackers Play In The Future Of Freight Tracking
AI can do amazing things, but its results rely on access to accurate, real-time data. That’s where GPS trackers become critical to the future of logistics.
Numerous companies already use GPS trackers to improve delivery times and tell customers when packages will arrive. Connecting GPS trackers to AI platforms will expand the technology’s benefits by giving AI the data it needs to make accurate predictions and find efficient routes.
LandAirSea Trackers For AI
LandAirSea (LAS) makes three GPS trackers that could contribute to more efficient freight logistics.
LAS SYNC
The LAS SYNC works well for companies that own commercial fleet vehicles, including semi-trucks and vans.
SYNC plugs directly into the vehicle’s OBD-II port, so it never needs recharging.
SYNC provides real-time location tracking that helps AI make the best decisions in complex systems. Additionally, real-time tracking from SYNC lets you monitor driving habits to ensure safety on the road. You can even set LAS’s SilverCloud app to send you alerts when employees exceed speed limits or drive erratically.
LAS 54
The LAS 54 is a stand-alone GPS tracker you can place in packages or attach to vehicles via a strong, internal magnet. Its compact size makes it suitable for nearly any application.
The device has a long battery life that can last from 24 hours to 365 days, depending on how often it communicates its location.
The LAS 54 also works with the SilverCloud app, so you can use it to control driving behaviors and create geofences that will alert you when cargo crosses lines you set on a map. Geofence alerts can help you prevent theft and determine when a shipment has reached or left a warehouse.
LAS Overdrive
The LAS Overdrive is similar to the LAS 54, but it has a slightly larger size and a longer battery life. Companies might prefer it when shipping cargo around the world or when they want frequent location updates.
Choose The Right LAS Tracker For Your Company
Not sure which GPS tracker suits your needs best? LandAirSea is committed to helping you select the right LAS tracker for your company, regardless of whether you already use AI to embrace the future of freight tracking.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected]. You can also use the options available on our Contact Us page.