DHL has reported a trend that shows technologies initially
designed for consumer use can also be incorporated into logistics. A study
conducted by the Trend Research team at DHL has shown that low-cost sensor
technology, such as Microsoft’s video-game camera Kinect and smart watches, can
be used in logistics.
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| Logistics could see a future involving lost-cost technologies |
Dr. Markus Kuckelhaus, Director of Trend Research at DHL
Customer Solution and Innovation, explains “The success of Smartphones and tablet
PCs has created a situation in which employees have better technology for
personal use than they do for [their] business needs.” Kuckelhaus also goes on
to say: “But they expect to have the same standard of technology at work. For
this reason, we think companies have to step up and put Smartphone sensors in
particular to work in logistics.”
The introduction in the use of Smartphones and PC tablets in
the logistics industry could prove highly beneficial to logistics. The
technologies involved could help aid in the processes of delivery. It has been
possible for aspects such as acceleration, position and light to be monitored
using these types of devices. These technologies could be applied to include
the recording the arrival time of a shipment for example, as well as being used
as a tracking or tracing feature, with the results then being uploaded onto an on-line viewable platform.
DHL has also invested time into testing several other application
areas. Concepts have been developed to measure pallet volumes. The testing
proved that measurements made by technologies that have the ability to detect
depth were 50% faster when compared to using older technologies. Further to
this, other benefits include the fill measurements of containers and trucks, in
addition to the monitoring and tracking of damaged freight.
In terms of costs, sensibly priced technologies bear
particular appeal within the logistics industry. While network development
investments are usually accompanied with high costs, the mass production of
sensor technologies could counterbalance this theory.
Customers are due to advantage from this new method as volume
measurement will utilise networks of transport. Additionally, the emissions of
CO2 would lower as a result.
