CLDA Spring 2023 Magazine- Final | Page 23

rtificial intelligence , better known as A . I ., or automation . It all may still sound very space-age . The truth is that A . I . is very much happening right now in many facets of home and business life . available to consumers , simplifying communications , and solving complex business challenges all in a matter of seconds .
Paving the Way for the Last-Mile
Where it All Began
A . I . is the study of the ability for machines to recognize , consider , and derive information . It made waves in 1956 as a group of students and researchers at Dartmouth College created computer programs that learned checkers strategies , solved algebraic word problems , and proved logical theorems .
Research proceeded over the next few decades as computing technology advanced . Commercial , government , and educational institutions were all in the search to create expert systems that simulated human knowledge and analytical skills .
A . I . Today
Mechanical automation has been a mainstay for operational efficiency in many areas of the supply chain including assembly , packaging , and sorting . Computing automation is now taking the spotlight to make an impact where it matters most for businesses : operational efficiency and cost savings .
The concept of single-order dispatch automation has been around for years catering to the consumer market by way of services like Uber and DoorDash . These delivery models were built from the ground up on completely autonomous concepts never utilizing manual dispatching . A customer places an order for their takeout delivery , the order is broadcast to the best drivers currently available to work , a driver accepts the order , and voila - food delivered right to your door .
Fast forward to the 1990s and early 2000s and A . I . was building a solid reputation backed by faster computers , algorithmic improvements , and access to larger amounts of data that produced real , verifiable results . A . I . was now making its way into the home with web search engines and strategic game platforms , and has only gained traction in everyday uses such as movie recommendations on streaming channels like Netflix , product suggestions based on your buying trends on sites like Amazon , human speech recognition and feedback such as Siri , and even creative tools like ChatGPT .
In the business world , almost 50 % of companies have adopted machine learning and advanced data analysis in some capacity according to a 2020 survey ( McKinsey , 2020 ).
While some of us still dream of having an intelligent machine like the Jetsons ’ Rosie to handle our housekeeping and manage our family lives , the current course of A . I . development continues to focus on problem solving - making information readily
Order . Dispatch . Delivery . All managed by advanced A . I . technology .
The last-mile can be much more complex with multiple routes , varying time windows , vehicle constraints , driver limitations , and the sheer volume of shipments . That is where years of development and testing behind Autonomous Dispatching comes in .
“ Automating the last-mile was no easy feat . We are taking A . I . -driven dispatching further with layers of complexity and considerations to automate driver assignments for 10s , 100s , and 1000s of shipments all within minutes ,” explains Christy Cocchia-Barbaree , Director of Product Management at CXT Software . “ Think of the popular delivery platforms we all use but on a much larger , grander scale working thousands of shipments into full , optimized itineraries to ensure the best outcomes for each of your drivers , clients , and shipments .”
spring 2023 I customized logistics & delivery Magazine 23