Industry 4.0 and autonomous transportation: the impacts on supply chain management

摘要

Within the span of three centuries of industrial revolution and through the introduction of modern technology, the environmental and socio-economic impacts are of greater importance than ever. The gradual but steady adoption of autonomous transportation in Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is now a growing research area and on identifying ways for industries to operate their functions. The implementation of autonomous guidance vehicles in all aspects of human life, from self-driving cars and unmanned aircraft, to package delivery drones and robot vacuum cleaners, is a clear indication that the future is here now. The potentials for cost reduction and profit maximisation have been realised by the involved corporations and a significant number of them is already investing heavily on the new technologies. This has become a critical factor when designing and implementing such autonomous guided vehicles (AGV) and the introduction of more eco-friendly technologies will be of vital importance for their future development. The paper aims to focus on the impacts of Autonomous Transportation that affects the logistics industry and will explain the reasons that have led to the ever-growing adoption of AGV’s but will also take into consideration the desire of humans to retain final control over their creations.