UD Trucks encourages open innovation
Three speakers from UD Trucks explained what the company is doing in terms of connectivity and how open innovation is critical going forward.
Satish Rajkumar highlighted the importance of creating a scalable and reliable open-platform to increase uptime, productivity, and safety across the logistics industry. He added that UD Trucks is uniquely positioned to incorporate a broad range of industry-leading connectivity technologies and resources from the Volvo Group.
NTT DoCoMo's Takehiro Nakamura introduced the carrier's strategy for 5G, the next generation cellular network technology, while expressing hopes to expand 5G-related services through partnerships. More than 2,800 companies and organizations have joined the 5G Open Partner Program, with logistics and transport companies accounting for about 5% of the participants.
Takehiro Nakamura said, "MaaS (Mobility as a Service) initiatives such as AI buses that seek to optimize routes dynamically according to demand is one example of smart logistics. If the logistics and telecommunications industries can share knowledge and leverage new assets such as AI, we can make great strides together."
Connectivity solutions for today and tomorrowThere was consensus that the pace of innovation for commercial vehicles will be faster than passenger vehicles, considering many commercial applications take place in more controlled and predictable environments.
From a societal perspective, Kazuo Shimizu suggested that, "Connectivity can dramatically transform the way we live and how people and goods move. It has the potential to curb the problems associated with over-urbanization in Japan."
Satish Rajkumar reiterated the importance of creating an open eco-system to resolve the challenges facing the logistics industry and society in general. In closing he said, "Working closely and collaborating with our customers, software vendors and other stakeholders through open innovation is the key to improving profitable growth, uptime, productivity, and safety in the logistics industry. Smarter logistics can help create the foundation for a smarter and more sustainable society".
Webinar video is available here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBMXe_g6cLg&t=1047s
UD Trucks is a leading Japanese commercial vehicle solutions provider, active in more than 60 countries on all continents. Since its inception in 1935, the company has been an innovation leader with a clear vision to provide the trucks and services the world needs today. The company is committed to go the extra mile for smart logistics with the most dependable solutions for demanding customers. To best support across applications and geographies, UD Trucks offers a full range of heavy duty trucks - Quon and Quester, medium duty trucks - Condor and Croner, and light duty trucks - Kazet and Kuzer, as well as associated operational and financial services.
UD Trucks is a proud member of the Volvo Group, which in 2018 had net sales of 391 BSEK and 105,000 employees globally.