Zebra Technologies has launched a new smart analytics tool that it claims could achieve millions in annual savings for large logistics operators, whilst also helping to better control emissions and the numbers of trailers on UK roads.
Its new SmartPack Trailer tool aims to at least halve the 30% space vacancy it claims is currently in each trailer during transit.
The company claims that trailers are loaded to just 70% capacity. Its new tool uses 3D sensing and camera tech to increase this capacity to 85% or more and is the first in a portfolio of solutions that will help public and private carriers of freight and parcels across ground and air transport modalities build a smarter, more connected distribution network, it says.
The tool captures operational data such as load density, trailer fullness, images of loads in progress and number of packages scanned and loaded per hour. This then allows companies to better plan loading of their trailers to reduce wasted space and time, and ultimately reduce the number of trailers on the road.
Businesses can also use the images from inside the trailer to track and monitor the lifting techniques of their employees. This level of visibility can help reduce worker turnover and injury, theft, loss and damage of parcels with every trailer load, claims the company.
“Given the rise of the ‘on-demand economy’ driven by e-commerce and the expectation of instant delivery, the need for solutions that can further optimise speed, accuracy and efficiency of the loading process are vital,” said Tom Bianculli, chief technology officer at Zebra.
Image credit: Zebra
