Use of autonomous vehicles and drones expected to rise in US transportation industry

A recent B2B technology survey by ABI Research of 455 US-based companies across nine verticals finds that 30 per cent of transportation industry respondents plan to introduce robotics into their business operations within the next year, with another 22 per cent actively assessing the technology. Despite notable near-term progress in robotics deployments among the respondents to support e-commerce and delivery growth, their lack of familiarity with nascent technologies such as AR, blockchain, 5G, autonomous
August 4, 2017 Read time: 2 mins

A recent B2B technology survey by 5725 ABI Research of 455 US-based companies across nine verticals finds that 30 per cent of transportation industry respondents plan to introduce robotics into their business operations within the next year, with another 22 per cent actively assessing the technology. Despite notable near-term progress in robotics deployments among the respondents to support e-commerce and delivery growth, their lack of familiarity with nascent technologies such as AR, blockchain, 5G, autonomous vehicles, AI, and the related ecosystem for transportation technologies is impacting potential adoption.

"Transportation providers may view intelligent transportation technologies as solutions to evolve their existing transportation operations versus opportunities for developing new revenue streams and business models," says Susan Beardslee, Senior Analyst at ABI Research. "These players also show concern for legacy systems integration and comprehension of the complexity/fragmentation of their supply chain."

Survey respondents find that intelligent transportation technology benefits are frequently linked to promoting workforce collaboration, centralised IT and operations frameworks, as well as workforce mobility. Primary barriers to adoption include data security and privacy concerns, alignment with existing legacy framework, and associated costs of technology adoption. Respondents also expect limited impact of delivery drones over the next two years; 40 per cent do not see a role for this in their businesses within that timeframe. 

"The results deliver validation that notable challenges remain to digitise, automate, and transform the transportation industry, especially with the very long tail of owner-operators and small fleets," concludes Beardslee. "Support of emerging technologies draws mixed reactions, with Over the Air building awareness. But respondents still see other compelling technologies, such as gateways, as nascent to the transportation industry. We expect to see this increase soon to effectively link vehicles and assets to operations."

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Smoothing out city freight movements
    May 28, 2014
    David Crawford welcomes a national first. Urban freight movements, while commercially and socially vital, are a growing logistical headache for planners and people alike. Figures from France’s Lyon Laboratory of Transport Economics indicate that goods transport in major urban areas accounts for: 20% of traffic; 35% of CO2 emissions made by all urban trips; and 50% of the diesel used; while final km delivery runs account for 20% of the total cost of the transport chain.
    Read More
  • Long-range electric vehicles ‘set to gain popularity globally’
    April 22, 2015
    According to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan, the global electric vehicles (EV) market has made huge progress, with more than 55 models now available globally. Currently, over 70 per cent of the models on the market are battery EVs (BEVs) and approximately 25 per cent are plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs). Nevertheless, the number of PHEVs is likely to increase over the next three to four years. The market will see greater demand for longer-range vehicles that allow customers to drive up to and past the pure EV
    Read More
  • HGVs without safety equipment to be banned from London
    February 6, 2015
    Britain’s first Safer Lorry Scheme, a London-wide ban on any lorry not fitted with safety equipment to protect cyclists and pedestrians, has been given the go ahead by the mayor, Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils. The scheme received 90 per cent support in a public consultation Traffic orders implementing the scheme are currently being published. Installation of road signs at the London boundary, training of police officers and information campaigns with drivers and hauliers have all started
    Read More
  • HGVs without safety equipment to be banned from London
    February 6, 2015
    Britain’s first Safer Lorry Scheme, a London-wide ban on any lorry not fitted with safety equipment to protect cyclists and pedestrians, has been given the go ahead by the mayor, Transport for London (TfL) and London Councils. The scheme received 90 per cent support in a public consultation Traffic orders implementing the scheme are currently being published. Installation of road signs at the London boundary, training of police officers and information campaigns with drivers and hauliers have all started
    Read More

Highlighted Content