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Timeline The history of advanced technology in supply chain
TIMELINE
1935 1951 1956
Drones
While the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be dated back to the 1700s, the first modern drone didn’t come into play until 1935 as part of the Royal Air Force’s training for pilots. Fast forward to today, drone usage in logistics has rapidly increased particularly in the healthcare industry following the outbreak of COVID-19.
AI
While artificial intelligence (AI) is another technology that can be seen in many crude forms throughout multiple centuries, the first working AI programs were written for chess games in 1951. When it comes to supply chains, AI can be used to further warehouse efficiencies, enhance safety, reduce operations costs, and improve on-time delivery.
Robots
The first robot to enter the supply chain, came from the manufacturing industry. George Devol patented the first robot in 1954. Since then, robotics have advanced significantly, today, one of the most common robots being used in supply chains are Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) in the warehouse.
We take a look at the use of advanced technology in supply chain, from drones in the 1950s to blockchain today
1990s 1999 2002 2008
Big Data IoT
While it is unclear who coined the term big data, it is a phrase that has been in use since the early 1990s. Big data in today’s supply chains used for inventory predictions, product quality, temperature control, order fulfilment, realtime tracking, and machine maintenance.
While one of the first early examples of the internet of things (IoT) can be dated to Coca-Cola in the 1980s, IoT was not a meaningful concept until 1999. Today, IoT in supply chains is used for location tracking, environment sensing, fleet management, equipment maintenance, and demand assessment.
Digital Twins
Despite being first coined as a term in 1991 by David Felernter, it wasn’t until 2002 that the concept of digital twins was applied in manufacturing by Dr Michael Grieves. Digital twins are used today in supply chains to optimise processes and inventory, identify bottlenecks, and plan transportation and facilities.
Blockchain
Dating back to 1982, David Chaum first proposed a blockchain-type protocol in a college dissertation.However, it wasn’t until 2008 that the first blockchain concept was brought to fruition by Satoshi Nakamoto. Today, those in supply chains use blockchain to increase automation, improve collaboration, drive traceability and transparency, and to optimise security.
