Over the last few years, the transportation sector has undergone a massive transformation due to changes in customer demands and technological innovations, though still going to experience significant changes.
What key developments we should expect in 2020?
Autotrade
Electronic Log Device (ELDs)
In 2020, Electronic Log Devices (ELDs) could have a major impact on the transport industry. The US transport industry will tend towards ELDs from the current Automatic On-Board Recording Device (AOBRD).
Flying Taxis
Uber is partnering with NASA to plan flying taxis by 2020. It plans to commence aircraft taxis in Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth by 2020. Aurora Flight Sciences, a US-based company, aims to supply up to 50 aircraft for the flying taxi network demonstration by Uber in 2020.
Delivery through drones
Several companies recently tested deliveries through drones for delivering packages. The market is growing at a rapid pace. A US-based drone delivery company Flirtey is ready to begin its commercial service in 2020.
Various companies already started investing in drones industry while Amazon Air in the UK started testing and promised to deliver a package within 30 minutes. Drones applications in the transport industry will see more traction in 2020.
Autonomous trucks
One of the significant trends in the transport industry is the development of self-driving trucks. The technology still needs to be developed and must address certain challenges, such as the development of driverless software to operate it successfully on high-duty urban roads. However, Volvo, a Swedish company plans to launch new autonomous trucks in 2020.
Autonomous cargo ships
Many individual cargo ship projects are still under development stage with the most famous MV Yara Birkeland, which is expected to become operational in 2020. Several companies build completely autonomous vessels, while others create semi-autonomous systems for existing ships.