Tangible benefits for business operations and consumers alike

Autonomous vehicles are often thought of in terms of their application for individuals, but they will have just as much impact on commercial driving in the logistics industry. For centuries, logistics companies have made profits on increasingly narrow profit margins. Now businesses like Amazon are using autonomy — inside and outside the warehouse — to their benefit.

McKinsey published a report on the impact of autonomous vehicles and operations on the logistics industry, in particular as they relate to “the last mile” — the final stage of delivery to a residential home, which is usually the most expensive part of the delivery. The report offers three central takeaways: that a growing minority of consumers want faster home delivery, that autonomous vehicles are poised to be responsible for the vast majority of delivered consumer goods, and that this shift will occur within the next ten years.

Read more in my series, Your Autonomous Future, commissioned by Medium.