While robotic trucks struggle on public highways, they’re making significant strides in controlled environments like freight yards, warehouses, and seaports.
In the logistics industry, autonomous technology is increasingly prevalent, particularly in areas removed from the challenges of open-road travel. For example, Kimberly-Clark has effectively utilized hundreds of self-driving forklifts to maintain supply chain flow for products like Kleenex and Cottonelle, especially during labor shortages caused by the Covid pandemic. Similarly, Newell Brands reports enhanced safety and cost efficiency in its operations due to these autonomous vehicles.
The trend towards automation is driven by the difficulty in recruiting manual labor and the improved reliability of the technology. Companies like NFI Industries are expanding their fleet of autonomous forklifts, citing economic and operational efficiencies.
Kimberly-Clark’s investment in this technology has grown exponentially, from 30 autonomous forklifts in 2019 to over 300 in its North American warehouses. According to Sarah Haffer, VP of customer logistics, these warehouses have demonstrated remarkable consistency and efficiency, even during the Covid crisis. Newell Brands echoes this sentiment, with CEO Chris Peterson highlighting the reduction in goods damage and significant cost savings.
Contrasting with the challenges faced by self-driving trucks on public roads, companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and GM’s Cruise have experienced setbacks in this arena, including safety concerns and operational suspensions.
In seaport environments, autonomous vehicles like those at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach demonstrate the potential of this technology in more structured settings. Third Wave Automation offers a hybrid approach with semi-autonomous forklifts supervised by human operators, a model being piloted by C.H. Robinson Worldwide.
Despite their advantages, autonomous vehicles in warehouses are not without challenges. They can halt operations due to unexpected obstacles or misplacements. To accommodate these robots, companies like Kimberly-Clark have redesigned their warehouse spaces for optimal efficiency.
Technology firms are optimistic about extending these successes to more diverse settings like freight yards. Outrider, an autonomous yard truck operator, plans to launch its commercial system in the latter half of 2024, anticipating a smoother transition compared to the complexities of public road navigation.
