supply-chain-sunset

Predictions: Three Supply Chain Technologies Set to Disrupt in 2017

Feb. 13, 2017
Several technologies are poised to disrupt the supply change this year, as they do every year. Here are three you should take seriously to stay competitive.

1. Self-Driving Vehicles Take to the Streets

Ford, Nissan, Toyota and Tesla all project that autonomous vehicles will be sharing the road 2020. Business Insider estimates the total number at 10 million. Consumers may get excited by this prospect because it means unlimited texting while driving (without the dirty looks from the person whose lane they are invading) and possibly catching a quick gridlock nap.

For the estimated 1.2 million trucking companies in the U.S., self-driving vehicles could completely change everything. More than $1 trillion of manufactured and retail goods are transported via truck within America and to and from Mexico and Canada. Having these transported by machines, and not humans, is expected to offer several safety advantages.

After an exhausted Walmart truck driver hit a limo bus carrying comedian Tracy Morgan in 2014, critically injuring him and killing passenger James McNair, the company and its insurers were forced to pay a reported $90 million to Morgan and $10 million to McNair's estate.

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About the Author

John Hitch | Editor, Fleet Maintenance

John Hitch, based out of Cleveland, Ohio, is the editor of Fleet Maintenance, a B2B magazine that addresses the service needs for all commercial vehicle makes and models (Classes 1-8), ranging from shop management strategies to the latest tools to enhance uptime.

He previously wrote about equipment and fleet operations and management for FleetOwner, and prior to that, manufacturing and advanced technology for IndustryWeek and New Equipment Digest. He is an award-winning journalist and former sonar technician aboard a nuclear-powered submarine where he served honorably aboard the fast-attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723).