Also in today’s issue: a beating shows the dangers to truckers, even off the road; an Indian company looks to disrupt that company’s trucking sector.
Lithium is going to be in there, the industry wants cobalt out or lowered, and a few other metals are lining up to take its place in the next generation of batteries.
VAYAVISION, an Israeli startup that works on providing raw data fusion and perception systems for autonomous vehicles has raised $8 million in seed financing, which it plans to invest in its productization process.
From on-demand trucking to blockchain, loadboards and freight matching, the list of companies bringing innovative technologies to the freight industry is growing by the day, which makes the 100 that have made the cut to be honored by the FreightWaves Research Institute as part of its inaugural Freight.Tech 100 all the more special.
The Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) is pleased to announce that BP, a global energy leader, has joined the organization.
35 companies are being spotlighted in Venture Atlanta 2018, double the number of last year. These companies are already successful and making strides in a variety of venture and tech-related firms. Here’s a brief look at 10 of these companies, each of whom had a mere 5 minutes to pitch.
It started with an open nomination period, and after culling through hundreds of submissions, the FreightWaves Research Institute has announced the inaugural Freight.Tech 100 companies.
Dave DeWalt has been a part of creating 17,000 jobs, $20 billion in shareholder value, $2 billion in revenue, and has 32 years in high tech.
As e-bike sharing startups flush cities with bikes for rent at dirt cheap prices, city administrations need to take a look in and understand the impact an unregulated e-biking scene could have on its roads.
Avancargo, a freight logistics startup from Argentina has on-boarded over 18,000 trucks on its platform and is helping them connect with shippers digitally.
BM recently announced that its food supply chain network, IBM Food Trust, has become generally available and is now open for any member of the food ecosystem to join. The network aims to improve food safety and reduce waste.
The Indian trucking ecosystem suffers from a lack of visibility and transparency, which Vaahika is looking to address by digitizing logistics and creating a bridge between carriers and shippers.
Edge technology and infrastructure will play a key role in everything from autonomous, to final-mile delivery applications, to IoT solutions and smart cities as a whole.
Mike Roeth, executive director of NACFE, spoke last week at the Meritor/P.S.I. Fleet Technology Event, telling the audience that one of the lessons he learned from NACFE’s Run on Less program in 2016 was that drivers still have plenty of influence over fuel economy, despite technology advances.
Syfan Logistics, a third-party logistics and transportation company, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
Chainstack, a multi-cloud and multi-protocol Platform as a Service that empowers businesses to rapidly build, deploy and manage decentralized networks and services, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA)..
Netradyne, a startup that uses computer vision to understand and improve driver behavior, has raised $21 million in its Series B funding, led by Microsoft’s venture arm, M12.
Loadsmart, a logistics technology company that uses data analytics to provide instant quotes and capacity, has raised its Series A financing led by Maersk Growth.
Shipwell, a freight shipping platform that makes shipping a seamless experience for SMEs, has raised $10 million in its Series A financing round, led by Fifth Wall VC.
Major drayage operator at U.S. busiest port complex looks to all-electric truck to hit emissions reduction goal.
Hyperloop is a technology that has been touted an exciting prospect in the transportation vertical. What is it about and how could it help improve the industry?
Freight Alley expands with the addition of Grupo Sesé, Carrefour turns to blockchain, Airbus will name its new CEO, and more in Today’s Pickup.
EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS), a leading operations management and analytics company, today announced it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
Venture capital-backed firm incorporates road, weather and hours-of-service data to providing real-time tracking.
In addition to funding the FAA for the next five years, the bill includes language that could be used to further integrate unmanned aircraft systems, like drones, into the commercial landscape.
As part of a wide-ranging DOT initiative to prepare for driverless vehicles, FMCSA will address regulations that could be slowing the development of these technologies in the commercial vehicle space.
GuardKnox, an Israeli vehicle cybersecurity startup is bringing in technology from the defense sector to make sure vehicles stay safe from data breach and cyberattacks.
Pantos Logistics, the leading logistics company in South Korea, has become the latest member to join the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
What do you get when you combine a last-mile delivery solution company with a semi? You get an autonomous truck startup that’s skipped a few steps ahead of the competition.
UNCTAD expects volumes across all maritime segments to grow in 2018. However, it warns that trade wars can disrupt the global trading system and there is a need to assess the implications of vertical integration within the industry, addressing any potential negative effects.
Additional robotic deployment comes as XPO readies for seasonal rush.
Industry participants want practical applications. They want to know what’s happening, and whether or not it’s an actual solution for their needs.
Newly launched venture called Transmission aims to bring low-cost ELD product to drayage and intermodal motor carrier.
In a time when consumers are opting to spend less time in the kitchen, restaurants and grocery stores, convenience is king and grocery delivery services are popping up everywhere.
Two of McLeod’s clients talk about how they use profitability analysis tools daily and how they drive better business decisions.
Even for small decisions you make, the computer is calculating millions of small permutations every time. If you do this thousands and thousands of times, the tool gets better and better.
Capacity creator, waterfall tendering, and max buys based on near-time market rates should help make brokers even more productive.
With the explosion in tech over the past few years in transportation, it’s increasingly urgent to provide real solutions with systems integration capabilities that let drivers, carriers, accountants, managers, and brokers tap into innovation and information.
Start-up looks to spread adoption of more nimble APIs to replace legacy EDIs used widely in transportation industry.
Smart cities end up producing millions of data points every minute. City administrations need to wake up to the potential of data analytics and think of a way to utilize data and reduce urban traffic congestion.
An annual review of the logistics business gets published; dueling intermodal views; and a startup gets a big chunk of funding.
The annual report by Infosys and others reflects an industry that is largely satisfied with the work that is being done, but with a recognition of areas that need improvement.
There is incredible demand right now for frac sand in the Permian Basin. With the explosive growth in fracking, customers were demanding solutions faster than GE could build them.
In the latest BiTA webinar, we reviewed the state of blockchain with industry experts. Mitch Hixon, Executive Vice President of Membership Engagement, BiTA spoke with Rachel Parker Sealy, Partner, PwC Advisory and Kris Kersey, Director, PwC Advisory, providing insights from PwC’s 2018 Global Blockchain Survey of 600 executives from 15 territories.
Discussions around the topic of autonomous trucks would not be complete without it addressing three main concerns – job security of drivers, data privacy, and liability issues.
The popular electronic logging device (ELD) exemption for agricultural haulers is up for renewal before Sept. 30, but it’s longer-term fate may hang with Congress’ ability to pass a budget – or at least a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open beyond Sunday.
Yesterday Uber settled a lawsuit with all 50 states and the District of Columbia, agreeing to pay $148M for covering up a 2016 breach of driver and passenger data.
Germany has spent $580 billion towards renewable energy infrastructure, but still would fall woefully short of its emissions reduction goals of 2020. Andreas Kuhlmann, chairman of German Energy Agency explains why.
FedEx, the giant US courier company, proactive adopter blockchain technology and BiTA member, has joined Linux hosted open-source project Hyperledger to further advance the use of distributed ledger in logistics, and transportation.
Readers of the printed newspaper are on a decline. It is essential that distribution companies that cater to this audience adapt to change, and optimize their logistics processes to increase profits.
How can something so small be such a big deal? For two very significant reasons.
According to an open letter from Walmart to its leafy green suppliers, the company will forge ahead in blockchain development as part of the Food Trust as soon as early 2019.
The partnership will be a joint effort in discovering the next generation of connected car capabilities for businesses of any size.
Bernd Heid from McKinsey elaborated on the future of mobility, drawing instances of disruptions in the transportation industry and the need for adapting business models to market and regulatory requirements.
R2 Logistics, Inc., a customer-focused third-party logistics (3PL) service provider, is the latest member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
Nasdaq listed technology firm Ideanomics (NASDAQ:SSC) has formed a joint venture with APMEN Trade Tech Co Ltd., to streamline ports in the Asia Pacific by using blockchain and artificial intelligence in the Port of Shanghai, currently the world’s busiest port.
The service can search shipments for drivers beforehand to help ensure their trips are consistently profitable. The service puts in the work so drivers don’t have to.
The Carrier Relationship Platform uses data to organize and automate a company’s processes with a unique approach: delivering targeting engagements to strengthen relationships.
The two Koreas consider historic trade agreements in the middle of ‘Autumn Eve’, their peak shipping season.
Leaders from state departments of transportation across the country participated in a panel discussion about connected and automated vehicles, and the winding road to their ubiquitous adoption.
In September 2017, IKEA Group was one of the first to join EV100—a global initiative created by The Climate Group—and now, a year later, IKEA Group has announced their commitment to moving toward zero emissions deliveries in 5 major cities by 2020.
BiTA participated in the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2018.
ZF, the German automaker has released innovative trucks that can load and unload at the warehouse and last-mile electric delivery vans with level 4 autonomy.
We spoke to T Rowe Price VP Andrew Davis about how traditional investors’ view of the digital brokerage had changed over time.
Hyundai is working on mass producing hydrogen fuel cell powered heavy-duty electric trucks, which would make an entry into the Swiss commercial market between 2019 and 2023.
Britain’s largest ports operator looks to distributed ledger technology to ease cargo movements.
With ELDs in nearly every truck, it was only a matter of time before insurance companies started to utilize the devices. Progressive is among the first, launching a new discount program for truckers that provide Progressive access to their ELD data.
The Chicago based freight forwarder and 3PL announced that it has joined BiTA.
Ford Trucks unveiled its new F-MAX tractor, boasting a high-performance engine with 500 PS, 2500 Nm and 400 kW of braking power. The tractor also has 6% higher fuel optimization over previous models, and delivers lower cost of ownership with 7% reduced maintenance costs.
Financial services still the main industry testing blockchains as technology promises to ease transactions. cropping
Volvo Trucks enters the electromobility age with FE and FL Electric truck variants and Vera, a fully autonomous electric truck concept that could redefine transportation within logistics hubs.
Artificial intelligence is a buzzword that has created a lot of hype in the transportation industry. But understanding the technology’s commercial utility is the need of the day.
Consumers are expecting brands to reduce unnecessary waste, source products responsibly, and use environmentally friendly transportation and logistics practices. Does this added pressure and complexity impact a company’s bottom line?
Able Freight Services, a leading global cold chain logistics provider with 25 years in business, today announced it has joined the Blockchain in Transportation Alliance (BiTA), an organization dedicated to determining best practices and standards for blockchain in the transportation industry.
AirHelp was founded in 2013, and has helped more than seven million people worldwide to process airline compensation claims worth almost $930 million in total reimbursement.
We may have seen one of the most important legal decisions in the short life of cryptocurrencies. The precedent has been set that they can be regulated as securities.
Freightos raised an additional $44.4 million in a third round of funding, led by the Singapore Exchange, as it seeks to expand into risk management tools for container shipping.
Volvo Trucks has unveiled its concept autonomous electric vehicle that it believes could help create a more efficient and cleaner transportation network, while acting as a complement to existing solutions.
Karma Delivers is looking to the future of social impact collaboration in the logistics space, where a natural market need exists for technology firms to empower NGO’s and nonprofits with software donation programs and access to education resources.
Team Worldwide, a diversified global logistics provider that offers “best in class” logistics, freight forwarding, customs brokerage, truck transportation and other solutions for its customers around the globe, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
Beyond the Hours of Service rule that is under consideration for changes by the federal government, the introduction of the hard ELD rule has created several other less-publicized problems.
Getting participants to join the supply chain is “the number one challenge by far,” says Piscini. “We’ve created the platform to incentivize players across the industry.”
Goldman Sachs issued a report last week highlighting the risks to incumbent brokerages’ margins and market shares, with useful information about the brokerage landscape and recent developments in VC funding that have powered new entrants.
RTS is injecting technology into the archaic garbage industry processes, helping bring visibility and transparency into waste disposal and recycling.
“You have to have the human touch. It’s not robots. How do we take data and take the digital world and do something meaningful with it, do something human with it,” says Keith Mader, VP of analytics.
The improved efficiencies aimed at dispatchers and billing departments, should prove a boon for drivers too, and therefore is another shot at increased driver retention.
Ripe.io provides enterprise blockchain technology for the food and agriculture industry in an effort to create greater trust and transparency between food producers, contributors and consumers.
Freight Management Inc. (FMI), a certified veteran-owned and family-run technology- leveraged third-party logistics (3PL) provider, recently became a member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
Freight forwarding giant needed easy way to transmit container weight data.
One year after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan SELF DRIVE Act, House Energy and Commerce Committee leaders called on the Senate to advance automated vehicle legislation.
“It’s not just about cars and satellites and cereal,” says CEO Lou Rassey. “It’s about feeding and empowering the world with the things we make. That’s the heart of Fast Radius.”
Which jobs in the trucking industry are most at risk to autonomous trucking, and what can we do to prepare?
One of the more powerful potentials of blockchain’s transparency and efficiency is through what consumers think of as returns, and industry participants refer to as reverse logistics.
Is there a way to protect consumers in the multi-billion dollar counterfeiting black market?
CargoX used a smart contract-powered bill of lading to reduce transfer and payment times to four minutes. FreightWaves spoke with CargoX’s CEO Stefan Kukman by phone.
Advent Intermodal Solutions (www.adventintermodal.com), a leader in information technology and cloud-based software solutions for port and terminal operators and landside logistics, has joined the Blockchain in Transportation Alliance (BiTA).
ITL, a Chicago-based company specializing in warehousing and logistics, recently became a member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
xChange is helping container lines reduce their dead miles, by providing them with one-way container moves or SOCs from 2500 locations across the world.
Wipro Limited, a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).
The Blockchain Research Institute (BRI) and Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) today announced a new partnership to improve coordination, cooperation and governance within their respective memberships.
