How 5G paves the way for a new era of digital logistics
Since its inception, 5G has rapidly become the number one topic for every industry, and for good reason. 5G networks are expected to cover one-third of the world’s population by 2025, and a study of the 5G economy found that by 2035, 5G could potentially provide up to $13.2 trillion worth of goods and services and help create up to 22 million new jobs.
But what exactly is 5G, and why is this technology going to have such a big impact on the way the world works? With the introduction of 3G or 3rd generation cellular technology, mobile data communications have advanced significantly, and 4G has ushered in a new era of mobile broadband. Now it’s time for 5G: the fifth generation of mobile communications, based on telecommunications standards (5G/IMT-2020), will provide the highest mobile speeds and lowest latency ever recorded. The new levels of connectivity created by 5G could impact virtually every industry, bringing remote healthcare, smart cities, digital logistics and many more of today’s cutting-edge technology curiosities into the mainstream.
What prospects does the new technology open for logistics? In fact, 5G could be the technology that will eventually push the entire logistics industry towards full digitalization. Nearly 90 percent of logistics and transportation service providers say the lack of supply chain visibility is one of the biggest challenges in today’s industry. Another study found that 85 percent of shippers and consignees surveyed felt that the industry was either “too slow to change” or out of trend altogether. However, 5G networks will be able to change that by creating a huge new platform for digital logistics technologies, from IoT to real-time cargo tracking and autonomous vehicles. Thus, the data of the report of the analytical company Gartner showed that two-thirds of organizations plan to deploy 5G networks by the end of 2020.
It is worth highlighting some of the areas where 5G networks will have a significant impact on digital logistics over the next few years.
Internet of things and telematics
According to DHL, IoT will unlock $1.9 trillion in logistics opportunities. And these numbers will only grow as 5G networks become more widely used: for every meter of coverage, 5G networks can support 1,000 more devices than 4G, at speeds up to 10 gigabits per second (10 Gbps), or 100 times faster. Meanwhile, trucks will be able to use 5G telematics to create vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications. These technologies allow vehicles to communicate with each other as well as with infrastructure such as traffic lights or road management systems.
Modern 3G and 4G IoT devices tend to be more power dependent as they are constantly turning on and off. Still, battery-powered IoT trackers using 5G will be much more power efficient, automatically going to sleep when not transmitting information. This will allow them to work much longer, increasing their ability to monitor key supply chain metrics such as location, temperature, humidity, lighting, and more.
Real-time tracking and enhanced visibility
According to some estimates, $2.5 billion is lost every year due to revenue leakage in the trucking industry alone. The lack of real-time visibility into the supply chain is one of the main reasons for these losses. IoT devices connected to 5G networks will help solve this problem by eliminating black holes in the supply chain, in which logistics companies currently cannot track vehicles or cargo in real time 100% of the time. Such transit zones have become one of the biggest challenges facing logistics companies today.While shipments are checked at initial points in manufacturing plants or warehouses, very little real-time information about the movement of shipments is available after that. Using 5G for geolocation, IoT devices will be able to deliver real-time information to systems that could, for the first time, track most products from factory to consumer. With this data, logistics companies can provide real-time status updates, anticipate where potential delays may occur, optimize their fleet routes, and predict the exact moment a shipment or vehicle will arrive at its destination.
Remotely controlled and autonomous vehicles
One of the most interesting features of 5G is its extremely low latency: data can be transmitted with a delay of just one millisecond, which is 50 times faster than 4G networks. This feature will be a key enabler for autonomous trucks, drones and delivery robots on public roads or in warehouses where every millisecond counts. Naturally, the faster the autonomous vehicle can make a decision, the safer these autonomous operations will be.
The timing for 5G could not be better for autonomous vehicles, with most of the big names in the automotive industry already developing and testing various types of autonomous vehicles for various purposes. Companies such as Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, BMW and many more have already announced that they are dedicating their teams to build autonomous driving systems.
Meanwhile, in the logistics sector, many companies are working to create reliable and safe autonomous vehicles that can help in warehouse and transport operations. Einride has created a T-pod smart truck that is completely autonomous but includes the ability to be remotely controlled by the operator. Equipped with cameras, radar and 3D scanners, the T-pod has a 360-degree view and, thanks to 5G, can react to its surroundings within milliseconds. Many trucking companies are also exploring the use of long-distance driverless trucks that can travel up to 10 hours non-stop to ease pressure on the industry from an upcoming shortage of truck drivers.
AR and VR for maintenance and repair
One of the most expensive areas of logistics can be called the maintenance and repair of vehicles and equipment. If the fleet or equipment fails for a long time, it can bring the entire process to a halt or reduce its efficiency. New technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are already being explored due to their core potential for maintenance and repair innovation. Now, in combination with 5G, these technologies will become much more promising.
In warehouses, reduced latency due to 5G will allow for real-time updates on the movement of goods, which will also improve the reliability of AR applications used by warehouse staff in their daily work. In addition, communications between AR equipment can also allow warehouse robots and other automated equipment to optimize routing. According to Verizon’s 5G expert, 5G could provide single coverage for a large warehouse rather than using multiple short-range 4G wireless options to cover an entire area. AR can also be integrated into vehicles for safer journeys and better endpoint recognition.Outside of warehouses, virtual reality applications could allow fleet mechanics to offer assistance in road accidents remotely, reducing downtime and improving overall efficiency. The combination of AR with VR will also be useful in the planning and construction of seaports, bringing developers together through mobile broadband, who will have mobile access to construction plans or use AR/VR glasses or tablets on site.
New structure for digital logistics
The logistics industry is already relying on new technologies and data-driven business operations. With the introduction of 5G networks in logistics, a completely new structure may emerge. As data rates grow faster than ever before and latency levels reach their lowest points, technologies such as IoT, telematics, AR and VR can realize their full potential to help digital logistics and the supply chain become fully visible. in real time.
To keep up, logistics companies should already be starting to look at where these technologies can be incorporated into their processes. If there are gaps or dead zones in your supply chain, where can IoT devices be used to improve cargo traceability? If you manage a warehouse, in what areas can robots help the staff? If your cars sit in the garage for too long due to maintenance and repairs, how can AR or VR help reduce that time? Soon 5G will be everywhere we go, and companies that adopt 5G now will undoubtedly contribute to the development of digital logistics and will greatly benefit by being the first to master new tools.
International trucking in Ukraine is successfully performed by M&M Ukraine (head office in Kiev, subdivision in Boryspil and Odessa) in all promising and popular global destinations. “M&M Ukraine” provides high-quality and safe cargo transportation to European countries.
Based on http://www.transmetrics.eu/ and open sources.