AI or artificial intelligence is buzzing in just about every industry. It is greatly changing the trucking industry, from driving to office resources. This article will discuss the future of transportation, AI in the trucking industry, and fleet intelligence.

Future of Transportation

Artificial intelligence is changing the future of transportation in many ways. There are several upcoming trends and new ways of transportation on the horizon. It is as if the Jetsons had the future of technology and transportation right all along. It is time to embrace the future of transportation as we know it. Here are some vehicles that may be just around the corner and some may be a bit further away.

Delivery drones

Delivery drones are unmanned aerial vehicles designed to distribute lightweight packages in the last-mile delivery process. AI is used to autonomously drive the delivery drones or they are remotely controlled. These vehicles are rechargeable, flying robots that can navigate routes and drop-off points. They use GPS, sensors, and computer vision systems to help with navigation. The first commercial drone delivery in the United States took place in 2016. It transported frozen slurpees, donuts, coffee, and chicken sandwiches. Delivery drones are available abroad now and deployed in select US cities.

Driverless vehicles

Driverless or self-driving cars are operated autonomously without human input. There are sensors throughout the vehicle that enable the car to be aware of its surroundings. There are several mapping tools used to operate driverless vehicles. These include cameras, radar, LiDAR, ultrasound or sonar, GPS, odometry, and inertial measurement units. These tools work together to compute a three-dimensional model of the vehicle’s surroundings. They inform the vehicle of traffic controls, merging opportunities, and obstacles en route. 

Flying hotel pods

Flying hotels are only a theory at this time. Flying hotels are aircraft designed to remain in flight while housing passengers for an extended stay.  Guests could check in to their own pods and have access to common areas in the facility. Flying hotels can be thought of as a sort of cruise ship in the clouds or low-orbit, traveler-friendly space station. 

Flying taxis

Flying taxis or air taxis are small commercial aircraft that can transport passengers regionally on demand. These aircraft would be used for short-distance commutes. This would be a faster method of transportation because it would bypass any ground traffic congestion. Flying taxis are the perfect candidate for all-electric, zero-emissions air travel, with the first generation of battery-powered planes likely to serve as airport transit services, cargo vehicles, and training planes for new pilots.

Hyperloop

A hyperloop is a high-speed, ground-level transportation system that uses magnetic levitation and electromagnetic propulsion to transport passengers or goods through a vacuum tunnel at jet-like speeds. It is essentially a futuristic train. A hyperloop is composed of three parts which include sealed, low-pressure tubes, pressurized coach pods, and terminals. 

AI in the Trucking Industry

Managing a fleet can be tricky. Managers are required to wear multiple hats and juggle responsibilities and tasks. AI has made this job much more streamlined and efficient. There are many benefits of AI fleet management software. 

Real-time analytics

Real-time analytics is essential to having a smoothly operating fleet. Data is collected and analyzed in real time. This includes your vehicles’ location, status, and movement. AI fleet management systems can monitor your vehicles in real-time and identify potential issues, improve fuel efficiency, and even detect vehicle misuse. When a problem is detected it can alert you so you can immediately take corrective actions.

Vehicle maintenance 

You do not have to wait for a vehicle to show signs of breakdown. Using AI algorithms, you can analyze vehicle use patterns and real-time data from sensors installed in vehicles. This is helpful in identifying small signs of wear and tear before they become bigger, more expensive problems. Also, AI software can help prevent breakdowns and reduce the risk of accidents on the road.

Route planning  

Route planning can become overwhelming. This is especially true when you are managing a large fleet. There are many factors to consider including traffic patterns, weather conditions, and vehicle availability, to ensure your vehicles operate efficiently and on time. AI can analyze real-time data from various sources, such as GPS trackers and weather and traffic alerts, to automatically optimize routes for maximum efficiency.

Driver safety management

Driver safety is the top priority for many fleet managers. However, monitoring and improving driver behavior while staying on top of other fleet tasks can require a massive amount of effort. AI-powered telematics devices, such as dash cams and speed sensors, can automatically record, detect, and alert you to unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding, harsh braking, and distracted driving. 

Dashcam video analysis

Dash cams are a way to monitor a driver’s behavior. This protects your drivers against false incident claims and ensures compliance with safety regulations. You can use AI-powered dash cam software which can automatically flag and categorize footage relevant to unsafe driving behavior. This allows you to review your driver’s performance more easily and gives you insight into the kind of training you need to provide.

Fleet Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the trucking industry. Telematics devices can be installed in the vehicles and make accurate predictions based on the data collected. Some telematics devices include GPS trackers, dash cams, and sensors that can provide a wealth of information on your vehicle’s status, including data on its movement, speed, location, and fuel consumption.

Fleet intelligence is a cloud-based fleet management solution designed for heavy equipment fleet operators and managers. Key features include an automated maintenance scheduler, layered map views, asset tracking, and real-time alerts.

Fleet intelligence allows managers to monitor their entire fleet in real time and in one place. It provides critical data such as location, DTC alerts, geofencing, oil scans, and preventative maintenance issues.  Fleet intelligence can also identify and reassign underutilized machines, automate maintenance schedules, and analyze the fleet by job, timeframe, foreman, and location.

Fleet intelligence software can send messages and alerts to mobile devices to track vehicles. It can do an oil scan, geofence, and other related events in order to track vehicles.  Also, a support team is available so users can submit tickets online for any support inquiries or reach out to the support team via phone and email.

Finally, AI is rapidly changing and transforming fleet management. With AI’s ability to collect and analyze vast amounts of data, it is making the industry even more efficient. AI will only continue to transform how fleets are managed.