Alternatives for Freight Traceability
ALTERNATIVES FOR FREIGHT TRACEABILITY: WHAT’S NEW?
To put the topic in context, it is worth remembering that all the possibilities that we are going to talk about in this article, referring to visibility or logistical traceability, are based on the technology that makes it possible to connect devices together, known as the Internet of Things (IoT). , for its acronym in English). IoT technology allows connected equipment and devices to communicate and collaborate with each other, making it possible for tracking sensors to collect and send data in real time on a large number of variables that can affect the quality and safety of products during transport.
In very simple terms, these devices are composed of a geolocation system and another communication system to transmit information from it to another device and/or control tower from where active monitoring tasks are carried out. Usually, this communication is carried out through the cellular network and, in cases of use in areas without signal, satellite technology can be used, although its high cost greatly limits its use.
Applications for logistics and security:
The basic functionality of tracking equipment is to know the location and the route traveled by the cargo. For geolocation, different technologies can be used. The most effective (and the most used) is geolocation by triangulation of satellite signals, popularly known as GPS, which has an accuracy range of approximately 20 meters. The alternative is the triangulation of cell phone antennas, where the deviation can reach 100 meters or even more in certain areas of low coverage.
Regarding geolocation systems, the novelty is that some devices are incorporating the possibility of connecting with Wi-Fi networks, which, due to its high degree of precision, allows determining, for example, whether a shipment is inside or outside of a deposit, which is valuable data in logistical and security terms.
To this functionality, devices have been adding sensors that offer a very valuable variety of information, among which the following stand out:
- Temperature sensors: measure the temperature of the container and send alerts if the temperature exceeds established limits.
- Humidity Sensors: Measure the humidity inside the container and can alert if the humidity is too high or low.
- Impact sensors: measure if there are bumps or falls on the container during transport and activate impact alarms.
- Light sensors: measure the light inside the container and can indicate whether a door has been opened or closed.
For the correct administration of all this technology and its effective use for the control and prevention of losses, it is key to have management software that allows you to design intelligent routes, geofences and any other parameter on the status of the merchandise to have early alerts. of any deviation that puts your safety at risk.
New formats:
It is in this aspect where the greatest advances are being made, expanding the applications and possibilities of use. Let’s look at the most important ones:
- Autonomous Devices: These are equipment the size of a cigarette pack that can be placed inside boxes or attached to pallets.
- Hang tags: They cover several of the functionalities of autonomous equipment, they adhere to any surface and detect improper opening of the box in which they are placed.
- Smart Containers: This new generation of containers, recently launched, is focused for now on refrigerated containers, offering the possibility of knowing temperature and location from origin to destination.
New power supplies
As with other devices such as cell phones and smartphones, the great challenge for new applications (labels and stand-alone) is the duration of the batteries, which in the specific case of logistics activity becomes especially relevant due to the times that the devices can require. transfers and because, unlike fixed ones, they cannot use the means of transport as a source of energy.
The autonomous devices can be charged with the same cables used for Android cell phones, and depending on the frequency of reports, the battery can last a couple of months. The novelty is that equipment with a non-lithium battery is now available, which allows its use in airplanes where the use of active lithium batteries is prohibited.
When use permits, there are devices with solar battery charging available, which can practically be used for an unlimited time. With the help of the automotive industry, which is at the forefront in the development of efficient batteries, it is expected that there will be news on this aspect in the short and medium term.
