Predictions in the warehousing industry point to the use of autonomous yard trucks growing by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 52.7% to 2030 through increased supply chain digitisations, ABI Research has found.
According to the New York tech intelligence firm, bringing yards up to speed with warehouse and transport digitalisation is driving the adoption of established supply chain technologies to help track, allocate, and optimise assets in the yard.
“The installed base of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled cameras in the yard will reach 11.2 million globally by 2030, and the uptake of autonomous yard trucks will rise significantly at a global CAGR of 52.7% from 2022 to 2030.
Industry analyst at the firm, Ryan Wiggin, explains that warehouse yards, distribution centres and manufacturing facilities are becoming the new stomping ground for established supply chain solution providers as they diversify into Yard Management Systems (YMS).
In addition to these developments is the growing number of emerging companies focusing on automating yard trailer movements and live asset tracking, he says.
“In a bid to digitalise and update yard operations, installation of yard systems, enabling tracking technologies, and autonomous tractors are expected to rise considerably in the short to medium term.”
From a more pinpointed perspective, Wiggin adds that innovators like “Blue Yonder, Körber and FourKites are adding YMS to their extensive software portfolio, joining more focused yard solution vendors such as Kaleris and C3 Solutions.
“To enable tracking and visibility of assets and workers in the yard, handheld devices and AI-enabled yard cameras will see increasing deployments in yards globally, growing at a CAGR of 13.0% and 14.8%, respectively, from 2022 to 2030.
“Established providers Advantech, Honeywell and Zebra will lead the rise in handheld devices, while Blue Yonder, Peripass and Robovision pioneer AI-enabled yard camera systems.”
Through its Yard Digitalization Market Data report, ABI Research also found that autonomous and teleoperated yard trucks remain nascent, but recent investment rounds, partnerships, and successful proof-of-concept projects indicate an interest and use case for the technology.
“Outrider, Phantom Auto, EasyMile and Fernride are some of the few companies doubling down on yard automation, with small-scale deployments paving the way for wider commercial uptake in the coming years,” Wiggin points out.
“Advancements in AI are breaking down many of the limitations faced by technologies in outdoor environments,” he says.
“Advanced computing power helps to process data from camera feeds, identify trailers and equipment, and guide autonomous vehicles safely.
“Where certain technologies couldn’t operate before, AI has helped unlock new use cases and will continue to drive solution adoption within yards.”
