ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND AUGMENTED REALITY: HOW TO APPLY THEM IN LOGISTICS

With the developing of new technologies, industries are studying how to adopt them in their business in order to improve activities management and to increase their productivity. Among these innovations, we find artificial intelligence and augmented reality, two technologies that, if correctly implemented and put at the disposal of the workforce, can really support your business. In particular, in this article we want to focus on the adoption of artificial intelligence and augmented reality in logistics. To do that, let’s comprehend better what we’re talking about by defining these technologies.

John McCarthy gives this definition of AI in this 2004 paper “It is the science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs. It is related to the similar task of using computers to understand human intelligence, but AI does not have to confine itself to methods that are biologically observable”. The benefits that come from the use of this technology are various and different companies have been using it in recent years. Just to make some examples, Google has adopted AI to simplify and accelerate the analysis of information; Amazon takes advantage of this technology to offer a better customer service; Nissan uses AI to design new models in real time, trying to shorten the time to market for new models.

On the other hand, we find augmented reality (AR) which is defined by Gartner as “the real-time use of information in the form of text, graphics, audio and other virtual enhancements integrated with real-world objects. It is this “real world” element that differentiates AR from virtual reality. AR integrates and adds value to the user’s interaction with the real world, versus a simulation”. Also AR is one of those technologies that has been adopted the most and we can see it in different applications, such as videogames, fashion retail, architecture, automotive retail, social networks, and so on.

AI and AR in Logistics with TDox

Now we have clear what artificial intelligence and augmented reality are, but how can we apply them in logistics? Well, in this case the answer is given by TDox, a multi-experience development platform (MXDP) which allows to digitize business processes in low-code mode, by making them available on web app and on Android and iOS mobile apps. 

In fact, one of the main and tedious activities in logistics is putting barcodes on the material that companies have in their warehouse. This procedure needs to be done because, through the use of a barcode reader, it helps to track these goods, to know the available quantity (if we refer to bolts and screws, for instance) and their specifics like part number and serial number. Warehouse workers struggle to do that because it requires a lot of time and they need a particular printer to print these labels to attach on the material.

With TDox there’s no need of barcode anymore, so you don’t have to put a barcode on every component you have in stock. In this way, there’s no more need to buy barcode readers, which can be very expensive, but you have all in one single platform, that means TDox. Do you want to know how?

Well, thanks to its particular attention to the workforce, TDox offers solutions that harness the power of AI and AR to facilitate operators’ activities. As a matter of fact, the implementation of these technologies allows to speed up the data entry, since it’s enough to frame a piece of text with the camera of a mobile device (smartphone, tablet) and TDox will be able to identify the different text blocks by updating in real time what the user can see as soon as he/she moves the hand on the framing. A big simplification that brings a complete new way of managing stock material and allows warehouse workers to work with much more ease.

A Hand-free Workforce

The use of artificial intelligence and augmented reality by TDox are key-points to achieve another goal: creating a hand-free workforce. Actually, TDox is going to land on devices that use AI and AR and a clear example are the smart glasses.

Operators who work with smart glasses, on which TDox has been implemented, can perform their tasks with nothing in their hands and this allows to avoid disruptions and to increase the productivity level.

As you can see, the adoption of these technologies can really support your workforce and this is what they meant to do: supporting workforce activities by making them easier and simpler. Nevertheless, there are still people who are scared of the technological progress, as Forbes reports “34% of employees expect their job to be replaced by 2023”, increasing a lack of trust in the technology.

What people may not understand is that AI and AR cannot replace humans, because human factor will be always necessary. The best way to comprehend its value is to consider these technologies as a support to the workforce, a tool that takes in charge tedious tasks to free up employees and to allow them to use better their talents. Ashley Watters from CompTIA explains it very well by saying “while movies may portray AI as ultra-intelligent technology capable of human domination, real-world AI is typically only capable of singular tasks, requiring human intervention to support and apply technology in the workforce”.

Support your Employees with TDox

As you could see, TDox gives a helpful solution to apply artificial intelligence and augmented reality in logistics and to support your workforce activities. The use of this new implementation can really make the difference in the economic environment and many organizations are moving towards this new feature.

If you want to know more about TDox, do not hesitate to contact us to learn what it can do for you. Furthermore, if you are interested in seeing what TDox looks like in action, request a free demo, and discover a new world of opportunities.
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