June 20199 time the location and condition of the goods throughout the entire supply chain can eliminate such information "black holes".The wide range of low-energy benefits of 5G will pave the way for new globally utilizable tracking and condition monitoring capabilities for parcels and devices, according to DHL's latest Logistics Trend Radar report. Some of these smart devices include battery-operated tracking devices that can be securely attached to containers, trucks, boxes or on the goods itself, monitoring the location, temperature, humidity, light, shock, and other key metrics. Electronic locks can also be Internet-enabled to deter and report acts of tampering and theft.All of this means high-value consignments will be less susceptible to being meddled with during transportation, thanks to better real-time monitoring. 3. Autonomous Trucks on Public RoadsTechnological disruptors are ramping up initiatives in self-driving systems -- not just for cars, but trucks too. This is set to revolutionize the way road freight is done, marking the shift from labor-intensive processes to a lean and efficient operation. With its extremely low latency, 5G is a key enabler for autonomous trucks on public roads where every millisecond matters. This is because 5G data can be transmitted with a lag time of only 1 millisecond, which is 50 times faster than 4G. The less time it takes for an autonomous truck to make a decision, the safer the roads, and the more reliable the deliveries. Ericsson, Einride and Telia have recently teamed up to produce a sustainable, reliable and safe transport system through their autonomous, 5G-powered trucks. Dubbed the "T-pod", the fully-electric driverless truck has been introduced into a logistics facility in Jönköping, Sweden, as part of an intelligent transport ecosystem. While currently deployed in a controlled environment, the eventual aim is to bring the autonomous trucks onto public roads in the future, setting a new benchmark for the logistics of tomorrow.DHL is also testing autonomous delivery within its own fleet of electric StreetScooter vehicles, which could also receive a boost from 5G connectivity. But for autonomous trucks to be adopted in a big way, the challenges of government regulation, infrastructure, social acceptance, and safety concerns must first be overcome. Only then will the benefits of the autonomous driving revolution come into play.4. Faster and Safer Port OperationsThe Port of Livorno, the gateway to Tuscany since the Italian Renaissance, has become a test bed for a new 5G-enabled innovative digitalized platform. To create an intelligent transportation system, sensors, cameras and devices are connected to a network to form an integrated communications system. Intelligent unmanned ground vehicles are able to automatically load and unload as well as broadcast their cargo inventory information so that they can gain access into controlled areas.The key is this: the backbone of the system rests on a fast, reliable and high-bandwidth connection that is possible only with 5G's speed and performance. The digitalization efforts here are opening a slew of possibilities. Syncing IoT and AI with good connectivity, as the port shows, helps to create a lean, secure and effective operations environment. 5. Augmented Reality (AR) ApplicationsSophisticated AR applications used in logistics, such as vision picking, will be significantly enhanced if supported on a 5G network.With a reduced lag time allowing instantaneous updates on cargo movements, it will improve the user experience for the AR applications, which can visually indicate the latest changes. This reduces chance for errors, and boosts efficiency of the staff managing warehouse operations. Besides order picking, 5G-powered assembly and repair processes in the warehouse can also speed up due to the shorter time needed to transmit information to AR-enabled devices. For instance, teams equipped with hands-free AR glasses can rely on the software to display step-by-step instructions for the assembly or repair through the lenses in real time, saving valuable training time and additional manpower costs. When 5G realizes its full potential, gone will be the days of losing cargo, misplacing parcels and incurring losses due to human error, mismanagement and inefficiencies. 5G IS EXPECTED TO REVOLUTIONIZE SUPPLY CHAINS AROUND THE WORLD AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE IN MORE MARKETS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS
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