Technology

George Abernathy, an industry veteran, joins TransRisk as the company accelerates growth

FedEx Express has announced the second planned purchase upgrading its feeder fleet–a more powerful Cessna that can haul twice the freight and fly faster than the old Caravan 208s.

Cowan Systems, a Transport Topics Top 100 for-hire carrier and Top 50 Logistics provider, announced it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

One of the largest elements of operational expenses in the freight hauling business is fuel, and yet there are a limited number of fleets that actively manage this cost effectively. Wisconsin-based Breakthrough Fuel is providing a way to effectively manage energy and reduce costs.

Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz Vans brand has introduced its third-generation Sprinter van at an event in Stuttgart, Germany. The van features many of the iconic attributes it always has, but has added new connectivity to further improve its utilization.

Job application fraud is a serious and significant problem in all industries. But without the time and financial resources to properly vet candidates, especially in an industry such as trucking with is facing a shortage of some 50,000 drivers, bad employees get through.

German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen has decided to throw its hat into the electric vehicle market, planning to develop 40 models for Chinese automobile market by 2025.

Security within the supply chain can be increased with blockchain technology because of its transparency.

The deployment of autonomous vehicles will become a viable option for Singaporean locals, thanks to a joint effort between the city-state’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Ministry of Transportation (MOT).

Turning bits into atoms in real-time? It’s as profound as the idea of instantly sharing thoughts across the world would have been to a person just a few decades ago. So how close are we to the dreams of the 21st century, and what does 3D printing have to do with it?

ZIM, MTI, and Maersk have all announced trials of blockchain-based solutions for shipping, from bills-of-lading to cybersecurity protections. 

Toyota announced it is building a megawatt Tri-Gen hydrogen plant in California. The plant will produce hydrogen using renewable sources and will provide fuel for its Project Portal Class 8 hydrogen truck.

Defining a common set of standards is critical to ensuring the mainstream adoption of blockchain-enabled technologies. That’s according to the CEO of Marine Transport International, a UK logistics technology provider that specializes in blockchain-enabled products.

Natilus, a startup based out of California, is looking to provide a drone solution that allows it to transport freight multiple times faster than when it is shipped across the ocean, at half the price of regular air freight.

Embark, Ryder and Frigidaire are testing Embark’s semi-autonomous trucks on routes running from Texas to California.

Yesterday, the Small Business House Committee heard how forthcoming ELD regulations will stifle competition, and how it won’t actually provide safety benefits.

One of the common questions surrounding blockchain is how it will be utilized in the supply chain. Many people assume smart contracts, transparency and quicker payments will be early uses. For Rana Basu, founder and president of Consurgo, that discussion is ongoing on a daily basis.

Any job that involves repetitive action is an easy target for mechanical replacement. Many economists and employers wonder how long the warehouse hiring boom will last before robots prevail.

LoadDelivered, a leading temperature-controlled third-party logistics (3PL) provider in North America, announced today that it has become a member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

FourKites has launched its own ELD certification program that operates on an open architecture platform to help shippers and 3PLs to assist carriers in choosing ELD solutions that offer visibility into location data.

The French freight industry is one of the largest markets in the world. But like its North American counterpart, the industry suffers from considerable fragmentation, with 90% of the fleet companies owning fewer than 10 trucks. Convargo is working to solve this by connecting shippers and carriers in real-time.

Sheer Logistics, a 3PL and transportation services provider headquartered in St. Louis, MO, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance.

Just as people are getting used to the concept of blockchain and Bitcoin, now we have something called initial coin offerings (ICOs), which use cryptocurrencies to raise money. Sometimes called token sales or TGEs, they are becoming a popular way for companies, especially startups, to raise funds.

Arke Technology, a company dedicated to improving driver retention, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). This membership will allow it to influence the future of transportation technology by taking part in the development of blockchain technology standards and education for the freight industry.

British startup Tevva Motors was one of the companies that took advantage of the exposure afforded transportation companies at the recent Freight in the City 2017 event in London. The company introduced its greenest truck ever, Trucking TV reports.

When people discuss blockchain, often the concept is too abstract to grasp. In many respects, you need a phD to understand it. So it was fortuitous for Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) members that the group’s first meeting in Atlanta recently had just such a person.

Velodyne LiDAR in San Jose, CA, announced this morning the release of its ground-breaking new sensor for autonomous vehicles, the VLS-128, which offers double the range and 10x the resolution of its previous industry-leading sensor.

What’s technology is next in line to become the new normal? Blockchain technology? Drones delivering anything under five pounds within hours or minutes? Maybe. Just as likely, and maybe even sooner: self-driving cars and, especially, self-driving trucks.

Regardless of their level of knowledge on blockchain, attendees at the first BiTA meeting were engaged by Ken Craig, senior vice president of special projects for McLeod Software, as he delivered an energetic and entertaining primer on Blockchain 101. 

Logis9, a tech-enabled, non-asset based 3PL based in Sunnyvale, CA, that designs customer transportation solutions, announced it has joined as a new member of the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA).

Nearly 60% of people find blockchain interesting, but remain unclear on its usefulness, according to a Gartner Research survey. That was just one of the nuggets of information Bart DeMuynck, research director at Gartner, imparted on the audience during the recent Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA) meeting.

BiTA, previously known as the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance has expanded its mission and renamed the Alliance the Blockchain in Transport Alliance to reflect its focus on all forms of transportation, not just trucking.

On Black Friday, Morgan Stanley released its research report “Blockchain in Freight Transportation: Early Days Yet but Worth the Hype”–we break down the key takeaways, from lists of current use cases to potential obstacles to implementation and how they’ll be overcome. 

ShipChain, the blockchain platform disrupting the trillion-dollar freight industry, announced its membership in the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA.) In doing so, it also made clear its intention to partner with other major players in the logistics space, like UPS, in order to scale unified transport management as far and wide as possible.

Innovation is sweeping across the trucking industry; technologies such as autonomy, blockchain, and electrification are beginning to demonstrate real value potential. However, the question is, where innovation has been stagnant in the past, is the industry ready for change?

Automation and digitization continue to infiltrate the shipper and 3PL markets, even as those industries lag in investment, according to a study conducted by Infosys Consulting and presented during a Stifel conference call on Tuesday.

China-based autonomous driving technology start-up, Tianjin TSINTEL Technology, has successfully secured $15.15 million in a Round A fundraising spearheaded by the CMG Innovation Investment Management Co., Yicai Global reports.

Nikola Motors, a leading startup that is building the next generation of truck tweeted out that Elon Musk was full of it and his claims on performance and range were invalid 

Tesla updated its Semi website over the holiday, publishing a $150,000 base model version going to $200,000 for a limited run special Founder Version. The company also increased the deposit for orders to $20,000 each from $5000. 

UK-based fleet management solutions company Microlise told attendees at the recently concluded Freight in the City 2017 conference how big data can boost productivity for truck drivers and operators alike with an emphasis on safety.

TMW’s Tim Leonard has been at the forefront of big data in transportation for decades. Now he’s leading the charge on developing blockchain business applications. Yesterday, Leonard spoke to FreightWaves about his recent product demos.

Following on the heels of a 90-day waiver from the ELD rule for agriculture haulers, and several other exemptions granted by FMCSA in recent months, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) has submitted a new exemption request to the agency.

Walmart’s commitment to digital sales, grocery pickup, and two day delivery mean a newly intensified supply chain: more truckloads to its stores, which are now acting like fulfillment centers, more expedited service in the holiday shopping capacity crunch, and more demand for last-mile delivery to its customers’ homes.

NetraDyne, a company based out of San Diego, is using artificial intelligence and computer vision to track drivers through intelligent and situationally aware cameras on deck.

Last week, FreightWaves published a commentary suggesting that solving the driver shortage may be as easy as raising pay – a supply and demand issue. We got many comments on that, including from Stifel Equity Research’s John Larkin, who said economics is not the only issue at play.

Cargill’s in-house blockchain will allow you to trace the journey of your Thanksgiving turkey, from farm to table. If this experiment in giving consumers unprecedented visibility into their food is successful, it will be expanded after the holidays.

FMCSA has made two recent changes to hours-of-service and ELD compliance that affects the agricultural community.

Weeks after Mastercard announced its foray into blockchain technology, American Express (AmEx) has launched its own blockchain-based payment service through the fintech startup Ripple, according to a report by Reuters.

On Monday Uber announced its agreement to purchase 24,000 self-driving Volvo XC90 SUVs for $1.4B, accelerating the auto industry’s shift to shared, autonomous transportation-as-a-service.

On Thursday night, Elon Musk announced Tesla’s new Semi tractors. Although the promised range of 500 miles impressed industry observers, the event left analysts and investors with even more questions about the truck’s specifications and Tesla’s production capacity.

Blockchain is digital ledger that can improve global trade security, stop illegal smuggling, and more importantly, reduce transit times currently bogged down by bureaucracy.

Building a smart contract requires coding, and incorrect code could turn a good deal into a not-so-good deal. To help alleviate that problem, McLeod Software this week introduced FlowLogix Smart Contracts.

What does the Tesla Semi look like? This gallery shows the truck for the first time, including what the inside of the day cab looks like.

YRC Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:YRCW) has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA) to help lead, develop and promote benchmark standards for blockchain applications; the next generation of secure transactions in logistics and supply chain management.

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.

The Tesla Semi is purely battery-electric, carrying enough storage capacity for 500 miles, according to the company. With plenty of fanfare, the truck made its long-awaited debut, and the range was not the only surprise.

Fullbay, a startup based out of Phoenix, AZ, has created a heavy duty shop management software that helps shop owners create instant invoices, attract technicians, and truly satisfy customers.

At its core, fraud stems from a lack of transparency. More and more companies look to blockchain as a technology solution for increasing transparency.

Van and refrigerated spot rates remain near historic levels, according to the latest data from DAT. The firm said the national average van rate fell 1 cent to $2.06 per mile, but remains just 3 cents below the post-hurricane peak of early October.

Robotics as a vertical has been a mainstay in the industrial floor for decades now, with robotic arms making automation easier and more efficient than human workers.

Nick Darmanchev, CEO of Archer Atlantic Global Logistics, believes that joining BiTA, “provides us with an opportunity to embrace the technology while helping to lay a foundation on which the future applications we build will conform to agreed standards.”

With all the advances being made in technology, it’s time for state transportation departments to be innovative and forward thinking, but that is not the case, according to the latest edition of McKinsey & Co.’s Voices on Infrastructure report.

Offering long-haul truck drivers the opportunity to extend their day by 2 hours is the goal of a new petition to FMCSA from KeepTruckin. The ELD provider said an analysis of data collected from devices found a troubling pattern of safety concerns when drivers are detained at shippers.

FrAIght, a startup based out of Chicago is looking to introduce an artificial intelligence powered freight broker service into the market, hoping to make a difference. The company works at the intersection of connectivity and technology by intelligently automating and mimicking existing workflows including email, fax, and EDI.

Profit Tools Inc., a provider of Intermodal Transportation Optimization Solutions, today announced that it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA).

GlobalTranz Enterprises Inc. announced it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA), a group of industry executives and companies dedicated to developing and promoting blockchain technology standards throughout the logistics and trucking industry.

Today SAP SE, a global leader in enterprise management software, announced their partnership with the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA). SAP is a German multinational corporation with 84,000 employees serving 365,000 business and public sector customers in 180 countries.

Despite the still-existing demand for customers to visit brick-and-mortar stores to see and touch the goods, especially fresh food items, before buying, Jewel-Osco has decided to give in to the demand of delivery service, The Chicago Tribune reports.

The seventh and final ELD survey conducted by Morgan Stanley before the Dec. 18 compliance date has found that capacity is expected to tighten about 3.44%, the highest level of all the surveys, the firm said.

A Brazilian trucking startup, CargoX, has successfully secured $20 million in a Series C funding backed by banking behemoth Goldman Sachs, TechCrunch reports.

Choptank Transport, an award-winning, nationwide third-party logistics (3PL) provider announced today that it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA) to help shape the future of logistics technology.

Shippers may not be paying the correct price for fuel based on the way contracts are written and fuel surcharges are applied, according to Breakthrough Fuel, which advises a market-based approach instead of the traditional surcharge method.

Boeing patented a design for an intermodal container-carrying plane that can pick up and drop off boxes directly onto the airport runway. This plane embodies an intermediate mode between currently existing high priority, high cost air freight and low priority, low cost railway and ship freight.

A push to increase detention pay has been gaining momentum in recent years in the U.S., yet detention remains a significant problem for carriers. Could the introduction of ELDs and blockchain eliminate that problem?

Fort Worth, Texas-based Apex Capital Corp, a freight factoring company serving small to medium-sized trucking companies, proudly announces its membership in the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA).

Transfix, the technology platform that is changing the way companies and shippers manage their supply chain, announced today that it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA).

Azuga, a leading global provider of connected vehicle and fleet technologies, today announced that it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA).

TransRisk, the developer of the first trucking futures contract, raises a venture capital round led by Bill Ford’s mobility venture investment fund. Seven other venture investors participated in the capital raise. 

Millennials are tech-savvy more often than not, and providing them with tools that could ease the life of a trucking job could empower a lot more to join the system.

The quest for greener sources of automobile fuel usually boils down to finding fuel with lower carbon emissions. Toyota is trying to develop an approach using fuel cells powered through its Hydrogen Supply Project.

Uber plans to roll-out air-taxis by 2020 and has targeted Dallas Fort-Worth, Dubai, and Los Angeles for pilots. 

Despite skeptics insisting on calling it an electrical airplane, Uber would rather call its latest prototypes Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) vehicles. Jalopnik has just reported the ride-hailing innovator’s deal with NASA to develop VTOLs. Tests are expected to start by 2020.

The U.S. has its first electrified highway. While not a long stretch, the one-mile catenary system on the north- and south-bound lanes of South Alameda Street from East Lomita Boulevard to the Dominguez Channel in Carson, CA, are providing a proving ground for the technology.

Augmented reality is a concept that sounds like jargon at face-value, but in effect, could help digitally transform the freight industry. AR is now ubiquitous in the freight niche – from floating insights while on the road about vehicle mechanics and on-road intelligence to bolstering warehouse logistics.

A 2017 study by the RAND Corporation found that shifting UPS’s lightest 20% of packages in an urban setting to drone delivery would only result in a 5.7% savings in total energy-use. As the shipping industry transitions to electric trucks, the drones’ advantage in carbon emissions would also disappear.

Tadmore Transportation, a freight brokerage firm headquartered in Toledo, OH, announced today that it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA). BiTA was established in August 2017 to bring logistics leaders together to cooperatively develop industry blockchain standards.

FR8 Revolution, creators of the FR8Star.com marketplace for open deck carriers and shippers, announced today it is has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA), a forum for the development of blockchain technology standards.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has come to trucking, generating data that improves safety and efficiency for carriers while at the same time giving shippers and customers realtime visibility into the location and condition of their goods.

Taking the last-mile delivery battle seriously, Amazon may have found a hit with its Hub. According to The Motley Fool, Amazon is putting Hubs in “multi-tenant dwellings like apartment buildings, condos, and complexes.”

Cargo and vehicles can become damaged en route, and often carriers are on the hook for those damages. But a new startup, PEIR, is providing photographic proof of conditions to help protect carriers.

Netradyne is using artificial intelligence (AI) to provide fleets with the context needed to make more informed decisions surrounding distracted driving events.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) today said it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA), a forum for the development of blockchain technology standards and education for the freight industry.

As the trial date later this month quickly approaches, Waymo LLC is starting to feel some additional heat from U.S. District Judge William Alsup as details of Waymo v. Uber begin to surface, ARS Technica reports.

Fuel theft and fuel card abuse is a constant problem, but finding $300 worth of abuse on a $5,000 monthly fuel bill is not easy. That’s where Fueloyal believes it can help.

Argus Transport Canada, a technology-driven Montreal based trucking and 3PL today announced it has joined the Blockchain in Trucking Alliance (BiTA).

SmartDrive Systems, which is already among the leaders in video-based safety systems, is adding sensors as an option for fleets to help detect drowsy and fatigued driving. The company made the announcement at the recent American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, Fl.

In the early days of trailer tracking, companies were simply looking for missing trailers. But technology has advanced, and trailer tracking is trying to keep pace. Now, the data generated by trailers can rival that of tractors, and properly managing that data could generate more revenue potential for carriers than ever before.

Jeff Mason joins FreightWaves as Managing Director. Jeff was previously with ATA, where he ran Transport Topics and TIA where he served as Chief of Staff. Prior to joining industry associations, Jeff ran the trucking content and media businesses of Randall Reilly. 

One of the fundamental problems with freight hauling in India is the apparent difficulty in decoding the logistical cacophony that exists across all levels in the industry. Digital freight management tools and marketplaces have sprung up in recent times, but are still in a nascent stage.

“Uberization” has become a huge buzzword in the 3PL industry, but the business models of the digital brokers using apps is unlikely to have an impact on the way the industry operates. The technology of smart contracts, however, is a game-changer.