New in Logistics Tech
Musk likes robots better than people; Trucking just got Ubered; Amazon might try drugs; Google may be transforming warehousing soon + more!
Uber Freight launched, and while software has already slowly penetrated the trucking industry, the force behind the Uber brand and technology means it will likely be a domineering presence in this space. Basically, Uber Freight connects freight with truck drivers all via an app. So it’s like Uber. For Freight. I get it.
Kevin Novak, Uber’s Head of Data, stated, “We fundamentally believe that computers are better at logistics than human beings.” There’s no better place for Uber to test this belief than in freight brokerage.
As it currently functions, Uber Freight only coordinates full loads, but surely will incorporate partial loads in the near future. As for the further away future, I can only assume that Uber Freight will help inform Uber’s autonomous trucking ambitions- much like regular ol’ Uber is leading to self-driving Ubers.
Google announced that it’s working on VPS, or “indoor location positioning” using its Tango 3D sensing computer vision technology.
The same concept as GPS, but instead of satellites (which don’t do well for indoor positioning) VPS uses cameras to triangulate positioning.
This tech can have a plethora of uses, particularly in the logistics industry. Inventory tracking, warehouse robotics, etc.
India is the world’s second largest smartphone market, and as such, it only makes sense that Apple have a presence there. The problem: iPhones are expensive, y’all. In India, Chinese brands own the market and offer their products at an average price of $150. Apple is going to have a tough time reaching that price point when its least expensive product in the US runs at $399.
Apple’s move? They are starting to assemble phones in India. It just completed its first trial run — assembling the iPhone SE in Bengaluru. Many in India hope that by producing phones domestically, Apple will be able to lower its prices. That is yet to be seen, though.
Either way, Apple’s decision to assemble in India has been received well in India since the country has very little manufacturing going on. This is seen as a step in the right direction for the Indian economy.
More news from Apple: A NY bill called the “Fair Repair Act” seeks to make replacement parts and tools available to repair your electronics. It would also prohibit “software locks” that make repairs impossible. Not surprisingly, Apple, Verizon and other tech giants don’t like this idea. So they’ve been quietly lobbying against this and similar bills being proposed in 11 other states. Because New York makes it very difficult to do these sorts of these things stealthily, we all now know about it. Thoughts?
With all the fear around robots taking factory jobs, the one perceived silver-lining could be that at least the factory jobs left to humans will be safer and less physically taxing. Let the robots do the suffering.
But Tesla may have just proven that hope unfounded because its factory workers are dropping like flies in its high-tech factories. Since 2014, ambulances have been called over 100 times for workers suffering from fainting spells, dizziness, seizures, abnormal breathing and chest pains. On top of that, hundreds more were called for injuries and other medical issues.
Lyft just entered into a partnership with Waymo to make self-driving Lyfts a reality. This is after Lyft already partnered with GM with that same intention. What a player.
We also can’t forget about the Waymo vs Uber drama. Waymo teaming with Lyft only makes that story even juicier.
Someone is going to end up pregnant or murdered. That’s how these soap operas go, yeah?
According to a CNBC report, Amazon is considering getting into retail pharmaceuticals. They have apparently hired a general manager to explore the idea. Amazon could bring a new level of transparency in pricing to an opaque industry. And that’s what logistics tech is all about.
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