Advanced technologies are set to transform the logistics industry over the next decade, making the transport of goods faster, cheaper and more sustainable.
That’s according to a new report from Navigant Research which examines the global market for advanced logistics technologies.
With the ‘last mile’ delivery of commercial goods to customers in urban areas becoming increasingly expensive, polluting and logistically difficult, innovators are developing new technologies to make shipping more flexible, efficient and sustainable as it grows, and as online shopping rates increase.
Navigant Research predicts that annual sales of advanced logistics vehicles will increase from about 28,500 vehicles in 2019 to around 500,000 by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 29.7%.
“The next wave of disruption in commercial freight is likely to come from electric and automated commercial vehicles, delivery drones and robots, artificial intelligence, and blockchain,” explained Ryan Citron, senior research analyst at the research firm. “Together, these technologies have the potential to revolutionise the way goods are transported through lower costs and improved speed and sustainability of delivery.”
The report, Transport and Logistics Innovations Overview, says that some traditional business models, such as freight brokerage, are already being disrupted while others, for example last-mile logistics, are likely to be completely upended over the next few decades.
However, although many of the technologies needed for logistics industry disruption are maturing, the report identifies ‘significant’ barriers on the pathway to scalability including high upfront technology costs, consumer acceptance of new technologies, and regulations.
“Without major changes to existing regulatory frameworks, for example, it is unclear how technologies like delivery drones or automated commercial vehicles can have a path forward to widespread market adoption,” Navigant Research notes.
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