Every day, millions of cargo vehicles crisscross our cities, facilitating economic growth and bringing a world of convenience to our doorsteps. However, due to the sheer volume of these deliveries, fossil fuel-based modes of cargo transport have also been linked to growing traffic congestion and air pollution.
But within this delivery ecosystem, a new era of innovation is transforming the cargo delivery landscape. From drones and autonomous ground vehicles to two-wheeled delivery EVs, these innovations are laying the foundations for a sustainable future.
This article delves into these futuristic technological advancements shaping the future of cargo and last-mile delivery.
Technology is changing the future of cargo transportation. Here are some of the latest changes sweeping this landscape.
The concept of autonomous ground vehicles (AGV) — robotic vehicles in different sizes and forms that navigate and operate without human input — has moved from futuristic fantasy to present-day reality.
Companies worldwide are investing heavily in this technology, looking to revolutionise cargo delivery to offer round-the-clock deliveries, reducing costs and enhancing safety. Let’s see some of the examples.
Estonia-based company Starship Technologies uses small, lightweight, and agile AGVs for short-range urban deliveries. Operating in cities worldwide from Tallinn and London to Hamburg, Washington DC, and San Francisco, the company’s six-wheel robotic couriers traverse sidewalks and streets independently, transporting packages weighing up to 20 pounds (9 kg).
Another example is the Silicon Valley startup, Nuro, which uses compact, pint-sized AGVs for carrying goods by navigating cityscapes using sophisticated sensors, cameras, radars, and LIDAR systems, ensuring safe transportation.
Besides these, driverless truck companies like Aurora Horizon are revolutionising long-haul cargo delivery through advanced sensors, cameras, radars, and LIDAR systems, supported by real-time tracking and AI-enhanced navigation for efficient, adaptive, and safe transportation of goods.
Another game-changer in cargo delivery is drone technology. So much so that the global drone delivery market is projected to reach USD 10.47 billion by 2030. Drone shipping bypasses road traffic congestion, drastically reducing delivery times and fuel costs.
It is an especially effective solution for delivering urgent supplies like medical equipment to remote, difficult-to-reach areas, bypassing road traffic and making deliveries faster and more operationally efficient. Companies like Zipline, Wing, Swoop Aero and Matternet are some of the leading examples in this field.
Maritime transport carries over 80% of global trade by volume. With such a significant role in cargo delivery, the shipping industry is also embracing technological advancements to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Here’s how:
Autonomous Ships: Self-navigating ships using AI and IoT technologies are improving fuel efficiency and reducing human errors at sea. They achieve this with shore-based control centres that use real-time data and communication systems, predictive analytics and machine learning algorithms that detect patterns, predict outcomes, and improve vessel operations.
Smart Containers: Equipped with IoT devices that monitor temperature, humidity, and location, these containers ensure the safe transportation of sensitive goods such as chemicals or perishable items, preventing damage during transit.
Smart logistics systems use advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), automated inventory management and predictive analytics to optimise delivery processes and reduce human error.
For instance, American multinational retailer Walmart leverages state-of-the-art forecasting algorithms analysing historical sales figures, market developments, and buyer opinions to calibrate its inventory approach, aligning supply with demand accordingly.
Likewise, Amazon Robotics operates hundreds of portable robots backed by powerful command software to furnish comprehensive warehousing and sorting solutions, managing inventories efficiently.
Other novel non-transport related concepts reshaping cargo delivery include:
Micro-Fulfillment Centres: Micro-fulfillment centres (MFCs) utilise automatic storage and retrieval systems, picking robots, and conveyors for swiftly packing and dispatching internet orders straight to buyers’ doorsteps, sharply decreasing delivery distance and time. MFCs concentrate on supplying densely inhabited regions for enhancing last-mile delivery.
Crowdsourced & Gig Economy Delivery: Crowdsourced delivery empowers businesses to adapt dynamically to demand fluctuations using locally available, on-demand couriers assigned through delivery apps, enabling rapid pickups and trackable deliveries accompanied by real-time, detailed tracking.
Smart Lockers & Pickup Points: Smart Lockers utilise electronic access methods, such as QR codes, barcodes, or numerical passes, to open compartments holding parcels, auto-locking afterwards for additional protection. Similarly, Pickup Points, strategically positioned at busy sites, combine carrier networks, minimise missed deliveries, and trim repeated attempt fees, appealing to consumers and businesses alike. Both concepts boost last-mile delivery effectiveness and efficiency.
While AGVs, drones and marine deliveries are transforming the cargo delivery landscape at a macro level, micro-mobility solutions like Yulu DeX are bringing about significant changes at the grass-root level.
With a fine combination of software and hardware, Yulu Dex addresses the major issues faced by delivery partners related to vehicle availability, affordability, safety and inclusivity.
Let’s examine why the features of the Yulu DeX represent a futuristic leap for last-mile delivery:
IoT & AI Integration: The Yulu DeX uses built-in technologies like IoT and AI to make deliveries safe and hassle free for users. Connectivity through QR code scanning simplifies the rental process, while real-time tracking ensures the demand-based availability of the vehicles. Further, IoT-enabled vehicle and battery health management facilitates timely servicing and maintenance, and data analysis leads to improved performance and processes.
Sustainable Mobility: As a zero-emission EV, the Yulu DeX addresses the challenge of air pollution – a noteworthy contribution to environmental sustainability.
Flexibility & Convenience: Using the Yulu app, users can rent DeX bikes at their convenience from designated Yulu Zones across five major cities. With a unisex design without any hassles of ownership or license, the DeX also promotes economic inclusivity and empowerment of female and gig workers.
Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS): Through its associate Yuma Energy, Yulu offers simplified battery swaps – ensuring that your DeX is always powered up for deliveries. The lightning speed of the swaps (1 minute on average) increases the uptime of the delivery EVs, thus ensuring greater earnings for the delivery executive.
Smartphone Integration: The Yulu app enables effortless bookings, real-time tracking, digital payments, and battery swap tokens. Notifications enhance user safety by promoting safe riding practices.
Mobility Plans: Yulu’s flexible rental plans offer potential savings opportunities. Based on your needs, a delivery executive can select the best kilometre plan suited for his/her need. They can also earn more by rolling over unused kilometres, getting free bike/battery swaps, suggesting friends join Yulu (referral rewards) and using coupon codes.
The rise of technology has led to tectonic shifts in cargo delivery as innovations like autonomous ground vehicles, drones, AI-backed logistics, micro-fulfillment centers, and smart lockers become increasingly prevalent.
Contributing to this wave of change is Yulu with its cutting-edge urban goods mobility solution, Yulu DeX, which combines technology with user-focused design to achieve smart and sustainable cargo deliveries.
1. How are autonomous ground vehicles changing the cargo delivery landscape?
Autonomous ground vehicles offer round-the-clock operation, increase productivity, and reduce human errors in cargo delivery. These self-driving vehicles come equipped with sensors, radars, and AI to navigate and operate without human intervention.
2. What role does smart logistics play in cargo delivery?
Smart logistics employs technologies like IoT and AI for real-time tracking of shipments and predictive analytics for demand forecasting.
3. How does Yulu’s platform approach impact cargo delivery?
Yulu’s shared EV mobility platform revolutionises cargo delivery. Features like battery swapping services with Yuma Energy and smartphone-based choice of different rental plans and booking through the Yulu app make cargo deliveries more efficient and user-friendly.