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Hello and welcome back to news, trends & insights in the industry.

In today’s edition:

• 3 Start-ups (Verity, Kodiak, Exotec)

• 2 Old guards (Amazon, Maersk)

• 1 Tech in the supply chain (Zebra)

Let’s dive in.

In the Box

Verity supplies autonomous drones to Maersk warehouses

The ocean carrier and warehousing giant Maersk partnered with Verity- an indoor autonomous drone system manufacturer to help shippers track inventory.

In a January announcement, the spokesperson told the Supply Chain Dive in an email that the logistics conglomerate currently has Verity drones in four sites. The goal is to integrate the technology across all its warehouses into palletized storage.

Exotec Robotics’ rapid growth and demand

We continue to see strong demand for scalable and proven warehouse robotic solutions. - Exotec Founder and CEO

The company has recently reached a milestone of 5,000 warehousing robots built in record time. This is an increase from 4,000 robots built three months prior.

The warehouse robotics provider is committed to continuing its vital track record of severing some of the largest global brands by aggressively investing in R&D.

With the $335 million Series D, the company raised last January 2022 led by Goldman Sachs, it’s committing a significant portion in R&D and 10% for testing new products.

Kodiak Robotics & Foward Air are now operating consistently between Dallas and Atlanta.

The leading autonomous trucking company Kodiak Robotics and Forward Air - the provider of asset-light transportation services in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are now the first companies to operate autonomous trucking services between Dallas and Atlanta.

They are providing 24 hours, 6 days a week operations of autonomous freight services. This makes three round trips per week.

Aside from the challenges, Kodiak has been able to keep a safety record. To date, the self-driving start-up has done 100,000 miles as from the partnership with Forward in August 2022.

Technology

Zebra unveils new sensor device for supply chain visibility

Zebra Technologies Corp has launched a new line of environmental sensors with the goal to increase supply chain visibility.

This will be applied in the following industries: Pharmaceuticals, food, and healthcare. The solutions released include:

• Android sensor Discovoery app

• ZS300 sensor

• ZB200 Bridge

The connected ZS300 datalogger uses high-performance, Bluetooth Low Energy v5.2 signals for easy access to data, reading through packages, containers, and vehicles for efficient data capture without manual intervention.

Old Guards

Maersk

The ocean carrier and warehousing giant is automating their warehouses with real-time inventory solutions in Mira Loma, California facility.

In the March 15th press release has partnered with BionicHiVE - the robotic company which is in a four-month pilot with its Bionic’s SQUID solution of sorts, which selects and puts away packages

Amazon

The e-commerce giant is testing 2-hour delivery with Rite Aid for its Prime members in parts of Newark, N.J., and Burbank, Califonia.

In a statement to PYMNTS, a Rite Aid spokesperson said, the agreement applies to a variety of grocery and cosmetics products. However, there will be no prescriptions or pharmaceuticals.

Logistics Origins

Steel Container Boxes

In 1956, Malcolm Mclean invented and patented the steel shipping container boxes. With the invention, the American inventor was able to reduce the cost of loading and unloading cargo by 90%.

On 25th April 1956, the first shipping container ‘ Ideal X’ was the first freighter to transport goods using McLean's new shipping containers. The ship transported 58 shipping containers from Newark to Houston.

This invention led to the launch and expansion of shipping companies like Maersk, COSCO Shipping Lines, and CMA CGM.

Thank you for reading.

My goal is to break down complex technologies in the logistics and supply chain industry. Hope it is worthwhile.

Over and out,

Okerosi