Freight forwarders operate in an industry where the effects of advances in technology are difficult to predict. There is always a risk of delay, human error, and accidents affecting import and export of different products. The primary goal of freight forwarders is to guarantee that products will get to their destinations within an agreeable timeline and in pristine condition. To ensure effective freight forwarding, industry players are considering the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).
AI has been well-adapted in the transportation industry. AI utilizes observed data to forecast occurrences in the industry and aid in decision making. There is also an added cost-saving component to the adoption of AI and IoT. Freight forwarding companies can solve the problem of overworking their drivers by having fleets that are fully automated.
The transportation industry as a whole is being prompted to reconsider the roles performed by human beings to reduce errors. The development of smart technologies allows humans to be substituted from many jobs with a higher risk rate. Many industry standards in transportation are positively impacting the industry.
Here are some positives that freight forwarders can expect in the adoption of smart technologies in the transport industry.
Improved planning and decision-making: Freight transport systems on roads utilize smart prediction technologies to simplify decisions made by freight forwarders by forecasting volumes using AI. The connectivity between systems using IoT eases decision-making. The use of smart technologies positively affects how investments will be made in the future.
Autonomous vehicles: In recent times, self-driving cars have become a buzzword in the transportation industry. These vehicles utilize smart technologies and make effective decisions to guarantee that products get to their users in good condition and on time. Autonomous vehicles are projected to reduce the accidents on roads.
Public safety: AI and the IoT help players in the transportation industry guarantee safety to the public that is utilizing their services. Freight forwarders utilize public transport to move products between manufacturers, ports, and consumers. Using smart technologies can help track products and guarantee that they do not place the public at risk.
Overall safety: AI can increase the overall safety of individuals, products, and equipment in freight forwarding. AI tracks the movement of each element in a freight forwarding system and helps in the anticipation of problems and accidents and actively works towards their elimination. Using smart systems ultimately reduces injuries, accidents, failures, and damages in freight forwarding. AI also helps reduce emissions.
AI and IoT are no longer technologies for the future. They are already widely being used in the transportation industry today. Freight forwarders need to ensure that they incorporate this software into their systems to meet their ultimate goal of effectively connecting manufacturers and markets.