Autonomy and Drones Make Gains in Supply Chain
As technologies like autonomous vehicles and drones continues to advance, some developers are finding success in combining technologies and using them in shipping rather than for general consumption.
Mercedes-Benz Van Drones
Mercedes-Benz is testing a system that would deploy drones from it’s rooftop to carry packages over the last leg of the journey. Called the Vision Van, the project is still in the early stages, but Mercedes-Benz is teaming up with drone company Matternet to create a concept vehicle.
The van would have an automated cargo space which can load the package into a drone while the driver is driving, or pick the package from the van, ready for the driver as soon as they’ve parked.
Drivers of traditional delivery vehicles can often run into problems when trying to find a place to park near their delivery location. There can be excessive traffic, no parking zones, or even no place that fits their vehicle, leaving them to sometimes park in a hazardous position to deliver the package. With drones handling the last leg of the journey, a driver could park in a convenient location and then use the drone to complete the delivery.
You can check out a video showing the Vision Van’s concept here.
Mercedes-Benz joins other companies like 7-Eleven and Amazon in testing residential drone delivery, but using drones commercially in residential areas is still illegal and subject to FAA restriction. What is not illegal, surprisingly, is an automated beer run, brought to you by Uber and Budweiser.
Uber Beer Truck
In the debut of commercial autonomous trucking, 45,000 cans of Budweiser were delivered to a warehouse after driving 120 highway miles – without a driver.
Otto, recently acquired by Uber, shipped the beer from Fort Collins, CO to Colorado Springs. The driver monitored the drive from the truck’s sleeper berth, and other than pulling on and off the freeway ramps, the truck drove autonomously on average 55 mph over the course of the journey.
Experts predict that these autonomous trucks will develop and be put into action much sooner than self-driving cars. The long expanses of highway that trucks drive are ideal for autonomous vehicles rather than busy streets with many distractions. While companies like Ford are developing the technology for public use, regular implementation of self-driving vehicles in supply chain will most likely appear much sooner.
Autonomous vehicles and drones are rapidly becoming more popular in supply chain. The exciting new technology is useful while capturing the minds of the public. You can read more in the developments of these technologies in supply chain in our Autonomous Vehicles and Drones article from MHI Solutions Magazine.
ProMat 2017, held April 3-6 at McCormick Place in Chicago, will even feature a Solutions Center on Autonomous Vehicles. Check out ProMatShow.com today to learn more and register.
