The Future of Autonomous Vehicles in Logistics

The Future of Autonomous Vehicles in Logistics
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The Future of Autonomous Vehicles in Logistics
Introduction
The idea of Autonomous Vehicles has engrossed the imaginations of several generations since the beginning of the twentieth century. Often explained in the school of science fiction, widespread adoption of this technology has been regarded as a distant vision, or something humans expect in futuristic movies (Fritschy & Spinler, 2017). However, the truth is that scientists have been performing trials since the 1920s. With the help of the digital revolution, companies are already introducing prototypes of fully autonomous vehicles (Kassai et al., 2020). With ongoing trials, many leading corporations are discussing the advent of the next automotive revolution. Therefore, the journey to bring AV to the market has started. This race has attracted the attention of several stakeholders who constantly wonder how this technology will impact businesses and the economy. Despite the subject being open for debate, some scholars argue that a significant change could occur within the next few years (Mitrea & Kyamakya, 2017). Regarding logistics, researchers have emphasized how highway trucks could be the first vehicles to adopt the whole technology on public roads. Among several reasons, safety and cost-saving have been put as primary reasons (Coyle et al., 2015). The analysts expect the technology to expand from limited warehousing activities, where AVs are already present, to public roads, primarily through the line-haul transportation mode. Hence, with an imminent revolution, logistics companies are now trying to predict how the changes would impact their business models, markets, and eventually, their survival (Neuweiler & Riedel, 2017). That said, this research will examine how the integration of autonomous vehicles within the logistics and supply chain system will develop and assist businesses in maintaining a competitive advantage when fully adopted. The paper will also explore the key technologies that should be integrated within vehicles to ensure the evolution of this technology.
Research Questions
Based on the purpose of the study, the following research questions arise, which the study aims to answer.
* How will the integration of autonomous vehicles within the logistics and supply chain develop?
* How will AVs assist businesses in maintaining a competitive advantage when fully adopted?
* What are the key technologies that should be integrated within vehicles to ensure the evolution of this technology?
Material and Methods
This study of the future of AVs I logistics is based on a search of publically available information and publication. Google Scholar, Web of Science, and the internet were the sources of information. Key terms like “autonomous vehicles,” “driverless trucks,” “robotic vehicles,” “driverless cars,” “automated guided vehicle,” and “platooning” were used alongside other terms like “logistics” and “supply chain” to specify the intended focus. The most current and relevant publications, not more than six years, were consulted for this research. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach as outlined by Saunders et al. (2016). This technique is a straightforward method of analyzing data. It provides a flexible and useful research tool, which can potentially give a detailed account of data. In other words, a thematic approach offers an orderly and logical way of analyzing qualitative data (Saunders et al., 2016).
Literature Review
The AVs are among the pending revolutions about automation and connectivity. From a technical viewpoint, researchers believe that the present technology for highly automated driving in controlled environments is quite mature (Nitsche, 2021). However, automated vehicles permitted on public roads are not yet fully autonomous. Literature has found that this development has something to do with the fact that there is a lack of a valid consensus among scholars or the industry concerning the commercial maturity of AVs (Saunders et al., 2016).
Stradner and Brunner (2019) postulated that manufacturers have differed in their views regarding the implementation of this technology, with some declaring the arrival of highly automated and fully autonomous trucks in the next fear years while some are announcing later dates. Van Meldert and De Boeck (2016) identified that self-driving vehicles would positively impact the logistic industry and existing business models despite the discord. According to Stoma et al. (2021), AVs will lead to substantial cost savings, address the driver shortage issue, reduce road congestion, increase road safety, and decrease the environmental impact.
The above benefits have been associated with the competitive advantage logistic service providers gain when they fully adopt this technology. Coyle et al. (2015) noted that adapting quickly to changes in the industry helps logistics companies compete. One of the key ways to do so is to implement AV in business operations. Fritschy and Spinler (2017) claimed that the logistics industry would adopt AVs quicker than most of the other industries because different rules would apply to a vehicle transporting goods instead of people. Currently, pro-AVs have argued that driverless vehicles are safe and successful in closed environments. Looking exactly at the benefit this technology would bring to the logistics operations, Kassai et al.(2020) pointed that self-driving vehicles in warehouses can load, offload, and transport goods, increasing the overall efficiency of the entire logistics process.
In addition to efficiency, AVs can significantly increase safety in transport and loading processes (Mitrea & Kyamakya, 2017). Another area that will benefit from robotic vehicles in logistics is assisted order picking. With AVs, the future assisted picking cart will mechanically follow the picker as they move through the rack system (Neuweiler & Riedel, 2017). Before the rack reaches full capacity, the picker sends it directly to the parking area or the drop-off location (Neuweiler & Riedel, 2017). Meanwhile, another replacement picking cart joins the picker, ready to place a new product. This application leads to a more efficient and ergonomic picking process.
Results and Analysis
Findings for this study are based on the research questions
* How will the integration of autonomous vehicles within the logistics and supply chain develop?
Nitsche (2021) stated that AV gradually develops because experts have to conduct extensive research before coming up with a convenient machine that will meet the needs of businesses and customers in the logistics industry. This calls for the understanding of the five stages of technical systems towards full autonomous logistics systems. Nitsche (2021) suggested five development stages of autonomous vehicles as follows.
Stage 1: Remotely controlled system: The system has no automation or autonomy because humans still have control of the apparatus (Nitsche, 2021).
Stage 2: Systems with assistance function: This is where predefined processes that seek to help the user are implemented. Arguably, such systems are automation applications, but all the system steps are predefined and smart configurations to respond to unforeseen changes (Fritschy & Spinler, 2017).
Stage 3: Semi-automated system: This is the step where the machines have undergone programming to perform robotic functions in a predefined manner. They can also respond to predefined circumstances. Nitsche (2021) reported that this stage paves the way for an autonomous self-learning system.
Step 4: Semi-autonomous systems: At this stage, the systems are extremely mechanized, efficient, and have self-learning abilities (Neuweiler & Riedel, 2017). In some cases, they can control themselves and make independent decisions based on their acquired knowledge (Nitsche, 2021). However, human involvement is still needed for more composite problems.
Step 5: Autonomous system: Here, systems have complete self-learning capabilities and can make autonomous decisions without human intervention (Saunders et al.,2016). Machines have undergone a complete integration into other relevant systems and can operate autonomously for extended periods. Human intervention is sparse in this final step.
Although the concrete task of the existing system to one of the stages may be impossible, some necessary system features become clear as the level increases (Stradner & Brunner, 2019). Whereas automated systems tend to carry out predefined, acknowledged assignments, developers have equipped the autonomous system with decision-making aptitude (Nitsche, 2021). The capacity to make decisions is crucial for autonomous systems. This scenario shows the complexity of many involved stakeholders and the development of autonomous systems that can run complex logistic processes without human involvement (Mitrea & Kyamakya, 2017).
* How will AVs assist businesses in maintaining a competitive advantage when fully adopted?
Van Meldert and De Boeck (2016) found that the logistics industry is highly competitive and fast-paced. With stiff competition, technology-oriented companies intend to adopt automated vehicles in their operations to gain a competitive advantage (Stradner & Brunner, 2019). The following findings indicate how AVs will help businesses maintain a competitive edge when fully adopted.
Reduce Transportation Cost
AVs will lower company expenses considerably. Stoma et al.(2021) found that this technology will reduce shipp...