Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality: Powering Logistics 4.0

The truth is, for the majority of the world’s businesses, newly emerging technologies are too expensive and too high risk before they’ve become adopted – and tested – by the masses.

But waiting for a technology to become best practice can leave you trailing behind your competition. So what are the practical applications for technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR)? And can they really deliver tangible benefits – through efficiency, operational costs and return on investment?

AR: Offering a new perspective in smart logistics

Augmented Reality might not be used as frequently in our day-to-day as AI might be, but its popularity is growing. AR works by adding a layer of computer-generated virtual reality over a view of the real world, most commonly recognised from social media filters.

In the logistics world, the difficulty arises when ensuring wherever AR is integrated into a working process, it’s done so in a way which is useful, seamless and user friendly. For example, although Smart Lense technology is being tested – contact lenses with Augmented Reality capabilities – it’s highly unlikely that a significantly large workforce could all be encouraged to use them where there are alternatives. Smart Glasses, however, are a different ballgame.

Often predicted to be the next game-changing technology, Smart Glasses could offer a visual overlay via their lenses. For practical applications, this could mean 3D illustrations are provided for employees loading cargo into a shipment, ensuring the best use of space, and minimising the risk of incorrect sorting. There are also high hopes for the technology’s ability to enable remote expertise sharing.

And the benefits aren’t just for inside the warehouse: last mile logistics can also benefit from Augmented Reality implementation. If the technology is integrated into a device with a camera, such as a tablet or smartphone, it can remove the need for barcode scanning and data input, using the camera to automatically process and sort data.

Panasonic’s Visual Sort Assist (VSA) solution has already begun revolutionising the way large-scale logistics companies manage their warehousing processes.

A practical, business-friendly solution

For the most part, the best integration of new technologies seems to be where it naturally matches up with current processes. Upgrading current technology to newer versions which offer enhanced capability could be the best way forward.

At Panasonic, the TOUGHBOOK M1 RealSenseTM is one option. A 7” tablet designed perfectly for use in the supply chain. Its AI-powered RealSenseTM camera with 3D mapping technology allows the user to take accurate measurements from a safe distance; optimising warehouse storage, organising shipments and calculating load dimensions becomes a much easier task.

It also offers all the benefits of rugged technology; resistance to drops of up to 1.8 metres, built-in water and dust resistance, a sunlight viewable screen, and a glove-compatible touchscreen – all features which make it ideal for use in a warehouse environment, last-mile delivery or supply chain management roles.

And then there’s the TOUGHBOOK M1 Thermal Imaging solution, which allows users to record, analyse and document temperature surfaces from a distance. Plus, all data can be intelligently processed, meaning less administration time and fewer human errors.

Not only could the use of devices such as this one lead to greater efficiency, process optimisation and reduced human error, it could also lead to a huge saving in TCO.