14 minute read
TRUCKS
THE WAY FORWARD
Traversing extreme off-road conditions or long-haul routes? IVECO’s Fabio De Serafini shares how the new trucks are perfect for these missions
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In June 2021, Turin-based Industrial Vehicles Corporation (IVECO) introduced its new range of offroad and on-road trucks T-WAY and S-WAY in Europe. Following which, it launched the trucks in the Middle East in December 2021. Fabio De Serafini, Business Director, IVECO Africa & Middle East, tells Logistics News ME about the key features of the two models including safety, efficiency, and performance.
Tell us about the T-WAY and S-WAY, and what makes it a right fit for the construction sector. The IVECO T-WAY is the off-road vehicle designed and engineered for the toughest missions in the most extreme conditions, which takes over from the TRAKKER. It introduces a new HiTronix automated transmission with functions specifically developed for off-road mobility.
IVECO completes the IVECO WAY heavy range with the IVECO S-WAY the on-road truck developed to deliver a complete package of features focused on the driver, on efficiency and business oriented. The IVECO S-WAY delivers a fuel efficiency increase of up to 4% with a new engine line-up, a redesigned cabin, and advanced features, further reducing its total cost of ownership and raising the stakes on business productivity.
What makes these two models suitable for the UAE – considering the climate and weather conditions? With the new T-WAY and S-WAY, IVECO is offering customers complete and renewed business-oriented product range for both off-road and on-road application. The new range is perfect to work in in the most extreme climate and weather conditions both for their robustness and the new cabin comfort, the air conditioning system, and integrated parking cooler and heater systems ensure an ideal internal climate within the cab in all weather conditions, when driving or during stops. >>>
Elaborate on key features of the T-WAY and S-WAY. The IVECO T-WAY is the toughest vehicle we’ve engineered for extreme off-road missions and the new IVECO S-WAY is a driver-centric long-haul truck.
Along with a new Hi-Tronix automated transmission with functions specifically developed for off-road mobility, the T-WAY also boasts new rear disc brakes, heavy-duty rear suspension system for tandem axles, lower kerb weight and a host of features such as the off-rode mode, together with ESP, hill holder and highcomfort cab add up to outstanding efficiency and safety.
The IVECO T-WAY has been designed to offer best-in-class performance in every off-road mission, robustness, and torsional rigidity. It carries over from its predecessors the legendary robustness of the high-resistance steel chassis with a 10mm thick frame, with a rail bending moment at the top of the segment at 177 kNm. The front axle has a maximum capacity of up to nine tonnes. Hub reduction on the rear axle is standard to maximise strength and performance.
The heavy-duty rear suspension system for tandem axles optimises vehicle weight and improves off-road performance with greater ground clearance and a better departure angle. The IVECO T-WAY delivers all the power needed for traction and PTO with IVECO’s reliable and efficient Cursor 13 engine (13 litres) that develops up to 470/480 hp.
The engines are coupled with the proven 16-speed Hi-Tronix automated gearbox, which now also features new functions specifically intended for off-road mobility including a hill holder function to help departure on steep slopes, rocking mode to help recover traction in slippery conditions and Creep Mode for ultra-low speed when idling; for the on-road sections of the mission, the Ecoroll, function that uses the vehicle’s inertia when travelling downhill enhances the transmission’s efficiency. With the S-WAY, IVECO has redesigned the cab from the ground up and taken every opportunity to deliver cost savings and productivity gains to the benefit of the owner’s profitability. All the elements of the new design work together to achieve a superior aerodynamic performance and deliver fuel savings up to 4% on top of the outstanding fuel efficiency that is the hallmark of this product family. Every detail of the cab exterior has been studied with care to minimise air resistance.
The new roof is perfectly integrated into the front end of the vehicle, presenting a flat surface that minimises drag. Even the retractable front step that provides easy access to the windshield completely disappears when not in use. The front grille with high radius corners and side fins, the integrated headlights, the two new bumper design with integrated deflectors, together with the new design of the wheel arches, create flowing lines that optimise air flow – and make a statement with a distinctive style.
The IVECO S-WAY carries over all the advances introduced in the previous generations and adds a new cab entirely redesigned around the driver to provide the ultimate driving environment with outstanding ergonomics and controls layout.
The ergonomic layout of the controls ensures all the key functions are within easy reach of the driver. The multi-functional steering wheel, with 22 switches, puts all the necessary functions, at the driver’s fingertips this set-up eliminates distractions for the driver who can operate without ever needing to move their hands from the steering wheel.
WHAT ROLE DOES SUSTAINABILITY PLAY AT IVECO? Sustainability entails our responsibility to make this job, which is crucial for our society. The new IVECO WAY range is the culmination of a product innovation cycle that improve productivity and fuel efficiency to face the sustainability concept. It addresses the key trends driving the transport industry: a blurring of the lines separating the vehicle and the services around it, the advanced connectivity, the need to attract and keep highly skilled professional drivers, and increasingly demanding requirements in sustainability.
SHED SOME LIGHT ON THE CHALLENGES IVECO FACES IN THE REGION. The product we present now is the symbol of our re-creation and re-invention. The new IVECO heavy range exemplifies the achievements of a product innovation cycle developed step by step over the last years. When we decided to develop the new model, we knew we were building the truck for the next decade, facing a high frequency and amplitude of regulatory challenges around emissions, safety, and connectivity.
DISRUPTING
LOGISTICS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF DHL EXPRESS MENA SPEAKS TO LOGISTICS NEWS ME ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGIES THAT NOUR SULIMAN ARE REDEFINING THE LOGISTICS INDUSTRY
The 21st century has reshaped the logistics industry by advancing technology, new business models, and causing dramatic shifts in customer behavior. In the last decade alone, we have seen a transformational pace perhaps greater than in the past 100 years combined. Wave after wave of disruptive technologies, from cloud computing to collaborative robots, big data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, have challenged supply chain resilience and industry performance.
The pandemic caused another drastic shift. It accelerated eCommerce growth and industry digitization by years, putting tremendous pressure on logistics players to shift gears and think in agile mode to weather the storm.
TRANSFORMATIVE ERA
“In light of the business and social trends to come, it has become abundantly clear that logistics is entering a transformative decade and those who do not embrace technology innovation will be hardest hit,” explains Nour Suliman.
“Key moves to scale and adopt new technology, automation and digital tools need to take centre stage on the strategic agendas of logistics and supply chain organisations and will ultimately determine industry leadership positions in the future.”
With the turning point of the COVID-19 crisis, the subsequent shocks in demand and supply, and the spike in online commerce, key evolving technologies have come to the forefront, and will pave the way for resilient supply chains and industry progress in the coming decade.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has had a profound impact not only on logistics but the world at large. With its vast potential to link billions of objects and connect virtually anything to everything, IoT and the new generation of communications technologies powered by higher speeds, increased capacities and greater flexibility of 5G networks, are accelerating data-driven logistics and proving to be vital drivers of higher industry efficiency and service quality. As the integration of IoT in supply chains becomes easier and less costly, it promises far-reaching payoffs for logistics, generating actionable insights that drive change and new solutions. “IoT devices and the data they collect will be crucial in overcoming the complexities of logistics networks by enabling enhanced visibility, transparency, reliability, security and supply chain efficiencies. This in turn will create a more dynamic and customized delivery service which is paramount to our business,” states Suliman.
DATA-LED APPROACH
Big Data Analytics is fast transforming the industry. It holds the key to better issues diagnostics, network planning optimisation, customer service enhancements, disaster risk mitigation, and new business model creation based on predicted future scenarios.
“As worldwide complexity grows, maintaining peak efficiency while processing millions of pieces of information daily on orders, shipment movements, locations, is no trivial task. A data-led approach leveraging analytics should be a strategic priority for the supply chain to derive forecast models and build future strategies,” explains Suliman.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is finding strong adoption within logistics. While high capital costs and tough requirements are putting a hamper on speedier progress, research firm McKinsey predicts that almost a third of the USD4.2 trillion of value to be created by AI in the next 20 years will result from applying the technology to supply chains alone.
“AI’s predictive capabilities will be critical to solving complex challenges related to our business operations, resulting in more dynamic route optimisation, capacity accuracy, and demand prognostics. This will have a knock-on effect on cost and operational efficiencies in key variables such as last-mile delivery, and will definitely create new customer experiences,” clarifies Suliman.
As AI becomes more intelligent with its predictive technology, logistics can step into new territory of anticipatory delivery models, supplying goods to customers before they even realize what is needed.
AUGMENTED AND VIRTUAL REALITY
The social and travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19, have catalysed greater adoption of Augmented and Virtual Reality technologies in the realm of logistics. “AR and VR is slowly but surely permeating our sector; and the blending of the digital and physical worlds is enabling us to better drive cost savings, productivity, and optimize training,” explains Suliman.
Smartglasses for example have had profound effects on inspection and quality assurance, as well as repair and maintenance and according to Suliman, DHL has systematically rolled out smartglasses to enhance the traditional picking procedure, citing 25% faster pick time and nearly 100% accuracy.
The rapid pace of technology advancement and greater affordability are driving the integration of more robotics and automation in the logistics industry. Referencing the International Federation of Robotics, USD3.7 billion worth of logistics systems (111,000 robots) were sold in 2018, a 53% jump from the year before. In 2022, this is expected to grow to USD22.5 billion. Advanced robotics and automation in the supply chain hold great power to boost output, cut costs, and meet growing customer demand.
“As logistics robots are diversifying and achieving higher proficiency with humanlike dexterity, they are taking on more and more supplementary roles in the supply chain; be it assisting workers with warehousing, transportation, or even last-mile delivery activities. This allows
us to free up our human resources and reallocate them for better utilisation.” Innovation in bionic enhancements is also picking up pace although there are still many hurdles to overcome in terms of high cost and usage explains Suliman.
“Advanced wearables and exoskeletons are being used to augment human capabilities and support logistics workforces in areas such as training, communication, process execution, and optimisation.
“Most importantly, they can minimize health and safety risks in the workplace related to sorting, picking, packing, (un) loading, and inducting parcels.”
WEARABLES AND AI
From headbands that detect driver fatigue, to protective wear that monitors the handling of hazardous materials, and exoskeletons that facilitate easier manual activity, the logistics sector will increasingly be exposed to new technologies that monitor posture and movement and help to reduce injury.
Although legal, regulatory and safety restrictions have halted the wide-spread adoption of autonomous road and aerial vehicles, in the last few years we have seen this concept mature and is gradually entering the shared and public spaces. >>>
“Driverless trucks, rovers, drones; all hold vast potential to upgrade logistics because they can unlock new levels of safety, efficiency, and quality; this is especially important in the last mile delivery leg which accounts for more than 50% of total fulfilment costs,” states Suliman.
Driverless trucks have made significant headway, proving capable of slashing delivery time and operational costs; while the need to reduce contact during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the use of rovers and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into the supply chains. According to Suliman, despite the technology and regulatory challenges, the potential benefits are too great for industry leaders to ignore. “WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH HANDLING THESE TECHNOLOGIES AND PRIORITISE UPSKILLING TO BEST CAPITALISE ON THE SOPHISTICATED SOFTWARE AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT OUR DISPOSAL.”
Enhanced transparency
Blockchain is fast becoming a widely used technology in logistics. Given that global supply chains are inherently fragmented, having a single information system that is accessible to all transaction parties - from customers, to operators, and authorities - facilitates greater trust and transparency.
“This is especially important with regulatory and government processes where trust is a vital part of the transactional cycle which at the moment is reliant on more traditional paper methods.”
In partnership with Dubai Customs, DHL developed and launched TED-X, a blockchain platform solution in the UAE for cross-border e-commerce. In less than a year, almost 7,000 shipments were digitally processed in the blockchain system, saving USD10,000 in duties and customs for DHL customers and enabling 60% product revenue growth for platform users.
While the industry is consistently exploring how Blockchain and other such distributed ledger technologies can be applied, the use of blockchain-based smart contracts is being expanded for processes beyond payment and crossborder customs documentation.
The potential adoption of cryptocurrency as viable payment will also create opportunities for new services and business models in logistics. While volatility is still a concern, recent announcements and speculations of new digital currencies being released by giants Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google in the next couple of years, may fuel widespread consumer adoption once implemented.
“Just like the debit, credit, and PayPal methods of payment, cryptocurrencies are a viable payment method for logistics products and services. More widespread acceptance of crypto will strengthen the competitiveness of logistics providers and further their integration in the digital consumer world,” explained Suliman.
Disruptive trends
3D printing is considered one of the most potentially disruptive trends for logistics, and the pandemic gave a glimpse of how it could impact the industry in the future. The unexpected spike in demand for PPE and ventilation machines meant traditional manufacturers could not ramp up supply in a timely manner. Companies and individuals stepped in to produce critical healthcare equipment, while local supply chains had to rapidly adapt their logistics patterns to deliver from within communities, instead of from abroad.
While the widespread adoption of 3D printing is still many years away, its potential to revolutionize how and where items are produced opens a world of opportunities for the industry. According to Suliman, logistics players can take centre stage as orchestrators of complex and fragmented supply chains for raw materials and end products, as well as B2B printing services and delivery. Regional logistics networks will expand as advances in 3D printing technology allow more product types to be made from diverse materials as well as locations.
But while technology investments will continue to be essential to operate successfully, according to Suliman, logistics is a service industry which heavily depends on trust - a human connection that ultimately, can only be nurtured between people.
“We must ensure that our people feel comfortable with handling these technologies and prioritize upskilling to best capitalise on the sophisticated software and equipment available at our disposal; at the same time, industry leaders must also execute effective change management strategies to encourage and motivate employees through this transformation.”
