Page 69 - TT mag Oct-Nov -Digital

SMART MOBILITY 2018

technologies is also used to enhance finally they reach the destinations in a
manufacturing and industrial processes fast, economical, safe, and reliable way.
by incorporating machine learning The PI containers are designed to make
and big data technologies to harness them easy to handle, store, transport,
the sensor data, machine-to-machine seal, interlock, couple, load, unload,
(M2M) communication and automation construct and dismantle. This is achieved
technologies. Cyber-Physical Systems using standard fixtures, standard size With PI, the current
(CPS) are integrations of computation, and even standardized mechanical practice of engaging
networking, and physical processes. strength. The containers, boxes and pods
They integrate the dynamics of the use unique international identification to dedicated assets
physical processes with those of the ensure traceability through smart tags. and flows will
software and networking, providing These smart tags enable use of robotics, be replaced by
abstractions and modelling, design, and artificial intelligence and computers to flow consolidated
analysis techniques for the integrated quickly transport the physical entity
whole. through inter-
through open cross docking hubs and
In CPS, embedded computers and collaborative routing centres. Cross hub transporters,
networks monitor and control the docking, routing, packing, loading, improving the
physical processes, with feedback transporting, etc. make use of IoT, operational cost and
loops where physical processes affect robotics, data analytics, cyber physical
computations and vice versa. The role systems, augmented reality, and the like. efficiency multifold.
of robotics is highly important in the Standard protocols are defined at every
logistics and manufacturing industry. level including the business network.
The market is ready for the use of Initiatives are already on for the
logistic robots to work in conjunction implementation of physical internet by
with the Industrial Internet of Things many countries including the US and
(IIoT) involved in packaging, picking, Australia. Fully functional and operating
shipping, delivery etc.
open logistics networks are expected by
Since Physical Internet is a global the year 2040 and the fully functional
system it needs to be hyper-connected Physical Internet by the year 2050.
for the mobility of physical entities
seamlessly within the PI area across the
globe. The interconnectivity layers are
Digital, Physical, Operational, Business,
Legal and Interpersonal. The Physical
Internet can be compared with the
digital internet for its operation. In
digital internet, the data is encapsulated
into packets and transported across the
world-wide network using standard
interfaces and protocols. The data
packets travel through various medium
(air, copper, fibre, etc.) and equipment
(Switches, Routers, Server, Computer,
etc.), and finally reach the destination.
Similarly, in PI, the physical entities are
encapsulated in standard containers/
boxes/pods and transported through a
myriad of routes, logistic centres, open
cross docking hubs and modes, and

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