Innovative technologies are slowly improving the efficiency of logistic services. Systems are now available for both logistics enterprises and their clients for location and routing of goods in transit. These systems efficiently reduce delivery time. New transportation systems and the use of on demand applications are using geospatial technologies to help people and businesses provide information on the location of the goods in transit.
Transportation Systems for Logistics
Transportation of goods and supplies to areas with zero accessibility has driven systems to be created to easily transport goods and supplies from one area to another. Innovators such as Matternet are transforming the methods of moving goods locally in key sites where traditional transportation infrastructures are inaccessible. One use case that Matternet has proven to be successful is using drones to bring much medical supplies to places devastated by disaster. The goal is to set up landing stations and routing systems not just for remote areas but urban or densely populated areas. Once in the area, needed medical goods and supplies are delivered within minutes from one point to another. The concept is simple enough to incorporate the use of drones in transporting goods from one point or station to another in a systematic fashion. Integrating this type of transportation system can be done in the daily routine of businesses as well as in a more personal capacity of delivering goods. This sort of action has potential to be as common as the internet integrated into almost all aspects of our daily life. The routing systems created by Matternet puts these stations in the background. The stations can operate 24 hours a day and 7 days a week without fail to move goods and some services without relying on any large infrastructure. With this drone based transportation system, Matternet seems to be on the cutting edge of improving the delivery of goods.
Matternet’s Drone
On Demand “Logistics” Applications
The thought of on demand applications usually brings Uber to mind. Uber has branched out into the delivery of goods aside from alternative transportation for people in urban areas. Using UberCargo can transport and deliver packages, goods and supplies from one location to another, or any on demand logistics needs. Uber has even had experiments with delivering donuts, flowers and other goods which them to start UberRush. Also, there are young companies like Instacart, Postmates and DoorDash that seem to be at the forefront of this old but new way of delivering goods using the web or mobile application.
The Role of Geospatial Technologies in Logistics
The role of geospatial technologies in logistics is to map out routes to reach target locations on time, whether in transporting people or goods. This helps in efficiency and avoids bottlenecks in the delivering goods and transportation services. Geospatial Technologies involve maps, spatial databases, and other parts of geospatial information systems. They are a key component in the transportation systems and on demand applications as well.
If you are interested in discussing more about how geospatial technologies can be used into your logistics company, leave a comment, contact me here or at adetola@adelabs.com.
