Good day,
Amazon has officially entered the freight app business with a new option called Relay. The app debuted last month, CNBC reported, and will make it easier for truck drivers to get into and out of Amazon facilities.
According to the report, drivers will be able to enter their information and speed the process getting through security gates. According to Amazon’s Relay app page, drivers can pre-register their loads and get gate passes on their Android phone.
“When picking up or dropping off at Amazon facilities, enter load information to get your Gate Pass in advance. Once you arrive at the gate, simply scan your Gate Pass for fast, easy check in,” the app notes.
Some facilities have dedicated Relay Lanes.
Amazon has been rumored to be working on a freight matching app to allow drivers to pick up available loads, but there has been no official release of that yet.
Did you know?
Tesla’s Elon Musk said his firm’s new electric truck would have a total cost of ownership of $1.25 per mile, comparing favorably to today’s diesel truck cost of $1.51.
Quotable:
“Reserving Tesla trucks marks an important step in our efforts to implement industry-changing technology. We believe electric trucks will be most beneficial on local and dray routes, and we look forward to utilizing this new, sustainable technology.”
– John Roberts, president and CEO at J.B. Hunt
In other news:
All signs continue to show strength
The latest data for October continues to indicate strong markets ahead for trucking, as volume, rates and order show industry strength. (Trucks.com)
Shippers must adjust to market constraints
Shippers are aware of capacity constraints happening in the industry, but many are not sure how to adjust. (Inbound Logistics)
Shippers push back against U.S. appeal to limit Mexican trucks
A coalition of U.S. shippers is pushing back against the U.S. proposal to ban Mexican trucks from crossing the board. (Transport Topics)
Building a smart highway
Technologies now exist to build smart highways, but adoption rates remain slow. (Heavy Duty Trucking)
Machine-to-machine ramps up
Machine-to-machine communications continue to ramp up in the transportation industry, and that means more robots.(Fleet Owner)
Final Thoughts
Tesla finally unveiled its electric Semi truck last night and promised it will have a range of 500 miles, far exceeding the estimates. There was no price tag announced, but J.B. Hunt has already announced it will purchase “multiple” trucks. Promise is great, but will the truck deliver in real-world operation? We’ll find out when production begins in 2019.
Hammer down everyone!
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