There is a huge shortage of people in the global logistics industry, and AI robots are here to help.
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There are currently more than 3 million truck driver positions that need to be filled globally. The driver shortage is expected to double by 2028.
The global logistics industry is the backbone of international trade, accounting for approximately 10% of global GDP. As demand surges, companies have made significant investments in robotics and automation: sales of professional service robots for cargo or cargo transportation increased by 44% year-on-year in 2021-2022.
However, severe labor shortages are threatening the future development of the global logistics industry. A new generation of artificial intelligence robots can help address these challenges.
“Shortages of truck drivers, warehouse workers or dockworkers place significant pressure on global supply chain management,” said Marina Bill, president of the International Federation of Robotics. “By combining automation hardware with intelligent software, robots Manufacturers can meet the specific needs of the warehousing and logistics industry. Robots equipped with artificial intelligence offer huge new opportunities for this industry."
AI robots learn to deal with variability and unpredictability
The main purpose of using artificial intelligence in robots is to better manage variability and unpredictability: Logistics providers address the mass market of cross-border transport, e-commerce or last-mile delivery, which needs to handle frequently changing products, orders and inventory.
To enable machines to support this flexible workflow, AI software operates based on experience rather than programming. These AI-equipped robots learn to pick and pack different items at high speed in warehouses, use vision to autonomously transport items around the factory, and provide an AI-driven interface that turns 90-minute maintenance tasks into two-second adjustments.
3 million truck drivers missing
For many logistics companies, now is the time to take automation even further. The global truck driver shortage is one of many reasons: According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU), there are currently more than 3 million truck driver positions that need to be filled worldwide. The driver shortage is expected to double by 2028 as the demographic gap between younger and older drivers continues to widen.
While the overall challenge of labor shortages is common across logistics supply chains in Europe, Asia and the United States, the specific causes and severity vary. For example, new working time regulations introduced by the Japanese government force companies to further automate their work. In the United States, a particular shortage of skilled logistics professionals in e-commerce warehouses requires technical support. In Germany, in order for older workers to continue to work in physically demanding jobs, these workers need to be provided with better working conditions.
“Robotics technology is suitable for a variety of tasks in the logistics industry. Service robots work alongside humans to create more efficient workplaces, while industrial robots help automate dirty, boring and dangerous tasks. The combined power of robotics and automation will Play a key role in addressing the workforce gap and catalyzing the future growth of this industry," said Marina Bill.
Reposted from: International Electronic Commerce, automatically translated by Google
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