The logistics industry is the veins of a country. Shipping goods back and forth across a large area keep an economy prosperous and moving forward. With the ever-emerging technological advancements, it is no surprise that the logistics industry would also benefit and change. New technology is created to cut the limitations the equipment, trucks, ways to package goods and the way that traditional Logistics has been approached for so many years.

1. Apps:

With smart devices everywhere and apps for almost anything, it should be no surprise that applications are aiding in a logistics. There are apps to complete log books. There are apps to track mileage. There are even apps like Uber Freight that allows drivers to sign up and find loads that other people want to be delivered. This will drastically cut down on shipping cost because it bypasses a traditional broker and allows the driver’s more freedom to negotiate terms and payments.

2. Drones

When people think of logistics, they normally think of huge trucks with trailers hauling cargo. That may be the bulk of transportation, but it isn’t the only definition of logistics. A startup named Unmanned life looks to change the face of logistics from trucks to drones.

People have been excited about drones for a long time now. The thought of having a drone deliver a package to the doorstep of a customer seemed like a thing of the future. Unmanned Life is set to have “the world’s first and only fully autonomous drone-based parcel sorting center.” Drones will not replace ground deliveries anytime soon, but it is not unrealistic to see drones being used soon.

3. Last Mile Delivery

Companies like Amazon has taken advantage of the premise of speedy delivery. With e-commerce on the rise for companies, it is more efficient to have smaller goods shipped in small batches. A startup named Quiqup is gaining the trust of customers by making these deliveries via car, bikes, or scooters. Making on-demand shipping affordable and achievable sets this company apart from others.

4. Automation

The warehouse and storage are just as important as the actual delivery. Behind the scenes can make a difference in if there is a delivery or not. The packaging has to be smooth and efficient for the transportation to go flawlessly. Scallog, an automation start-up, is disrupting the traditional way of fulfillment. This start-up uses automated guided vehicles to move and lift an object in a warehouse setting. Theoretically, With a fleet of these automated vehicles, a warehouse could replace the manual labor of actual people and run more fluidly around the clock.

5. Anticipatory Logistics

The days of ordering and picking manually are over. Well, not quite. A start-up named Transmetrics uses a companies network coupled with algorithms to try and cut back on that. Using analytics and software the company aims to predict demands and fulfill based on data received. This should improve the efficiency of delivery and transportation utilization.

Logistics is an everlasting industry that keeps economy’s afloat. With the innovation that is introduced into logistics, it will only improve the response time of deliveries and create more jobs, opportunities, and thriving businesses.