“Autonomous systems can be used in a variety of ways, and a vehicle is only one. But there are many different areas of it, and I don’t want to go any further with that,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. He may not want to, but we can: So, how can autonomous systems be used, and what can they do to your business?
If it moves, digitize it
Smartphone users stumble streets staring at, speaking with, or listening to their iPhone or other digital device. We use those devices for almost everything, and one thing we do less and less with them is talk.
The Internet of Things (IoT) means we already have millions of connected devices. These include lights and thermostats—the highly connected London Gateway shipping port also uses robots and automation.
iOS technologies are being used for everything from point-of-sale systems to agricultural management, medical emergency, logistics and distribution, warehousing, and more. Walmart’s recent decision to train staff with a fleet of 19,000 iPads reflects our changing tech times.
Wikipedia tells us an autonomous system relates to the complex network of networks that comprise the internet. Apple’s work with Cisco shows it has some interest in the network, but here the phrase is being used to describe a machine equipped with enough contextual awareness to understand and respond appropriately to outside stimulus, while also learning and improving a task(s) assigned to it.
A self-driving car, for example, would need to know where it is going, how to get there, how to obey the rules of the road on its journey, and how avoid collisions with other vehicles, buildings, animals, or pedestrians on the way. These autonomous machines must be able to achieve all of this in real time, on real roads, no matter what random events may take place on those roads. They need to be almost 100 percent reliable. Achieving this is complex.
The thing is, once you develop machines that can handle situations as complex as those you experience on the road, then you have developed machine skills that could conceivably be deployed elsewhere.
Apple evidently agrees. Cook says: “From our point of view, autonomy is sort of the mother of all AI projects.”
Here are some of the potential uses of autonomous systems.
- Public transport: An Indian government minister recently said Apple is working to improve train transport there. This could be a misunderstanding, but it’s arguable that creating autonomous trains may actually be easier than developing road vehicles. Bus and shuttle transport, Apple’s big investment in the Didi ride sharing service … you don’t have to be a genius to figure out why (in the long term) Apple hasn’t built enough parking slots at Apple Park.
- Logistics, delivery: Is a car really the “ultimate mobile device?” Why stop there? Autonomous trucks will be a reality. China’s biggest online retailer, JD.com, is building a fleet of self-driving trucks. These will be equipped with small unmanned flying drones to transport items from truck to customer doors. The same company is also developing autonomous, one-ton cargo drones. DHL, UPS, Amazon, Dominos and many others are exploring different models of autonomous delivery and logistics. Big haulage companies are also sniffing around the space.
- Defense and maritime systems: The Steve Jobs yacht is the stuff of legend. What if it didn’t need a crew? BAE Systems and partners are developing autonomous testing systems for boats, air vehicles and autonomous sensors at sea. They showcased autonomous maritime capabilities during the Royal Navy’s “Unmanned Warrior” exercise, a large-scale demonstration of maritime robotic systems. Governments worldwide are exploring autonomous weapons systems. A recent incident with a security robot shows there is some way to go.
- Warehousing, retail, stock control: Some supermarkets will begin to use systems such as Tally to help keep shelves stocked. Connected smart fridges in some homes already request fresh stock of some items. Online retailers can already deliver fresh produce within a few hours.
- Inventory management: Hospitals already use inventory management technologies to keep track of the equipment they need. In theory, at least, autonomous hospital equipment would know when and where it was needed. In an emergency, the doctor wouldn’t need to call for the defibrillator—they would know it was on the way.
Apple in the infrastructure
There is no need for Apple to remain defined as a consumer electronics company. Its investment in embracing next-generation computing technologies, like autonomy, IoT, or AI within its existing platforms mean it could potentially become part of future infrastructure. Apple Energy?
Apple won’t—and shouldn’t—do everything. But the things it doesn’t do will be an opportunity for eagle-eyed entrepreneurs seeking a smart, highly secure, fragmentation-free market-trusted platform upon which to build autonomous systems for profitable verticals. No wonder IBM is a fan.
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