Current shipping technology such as cargo tracking devices and ship finder mobile phone applications intrigue us immensely. Technology has opened a whole new world before us, a world in which we can better control our schedules and more effectively manage our time than ever before. But, with the current cargo-tracking phenomenon, have you ever thought about the future of shipping?
Some individuals may seem to think that, should technology continue on its current path, there will be little need to worry about shipping: everything will come right to your doorstep without lifting a finger. While the future of shipping may be at your fingertips on your home doorknob, it is not quite there yet; and the future of maritime may indeed still consist of shipping containers and cargo tracking.
It is in the spirit of shipping containers that a futuristic, sensor-packed shipping container emerges. The idea of the shipping container originated with Malcolm McLean, a North Carolina truck driver in the 1950s. Today, the shipping container is as valuable a commodity as the cargo within it.
The futuristic sensor-packed shipping container comes with the following features:
* body material—the sensor-packed container is made of fiber and polymer and has the strength of steel with durable corrosion resistance.
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Sensors—the shipping container sensors check for issues such as spoiled food, nuclear weaponry, and even human beings who may hide to violate immigration laws.
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Frame—when the shipping container is not in use, it can fold to about twenty-five percent of its original height in no more than 30 seconds. This means that it is easy to fold down and put away.
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Tracking tags—tracking tags come on the inside of the shipping container and record your name, origin place, destination, travel history, and other pertinent information.
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Padlock alarm—if the shipping container is tampered with illegally, an alarm within the shipping container will go off and alert everyone on the ship of the intrusion.
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Tamper protection—the tracking tags are tamper-proof, meaning that no one can break into the shipping container. Additionally, there is another form of tamper protection within the container itself: an electrical current has been planted within the container so as to send off a loud signal, should someone try to break into a container for the purpose of thievery.
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Communications sensor—there are sensors to alert everyone on the ship of intrusion; however, there is also a communications sensor. The communications sensor alerts the shipper, recipient, and ship crew as to the status of the package in question. Often, the communications sensor connects with the globally-positioned satellites across the world, which then connect with the global positioning system (GPS) capability in IPhones, IPads, IPods, and other mobile phone devices to provide ship locations, the current package location, and package route.
A sensor-packed shipping container is another way humanity will use its technological advancements for the common good. In the same way that people want safety in their homes (via security alarm system), they also expect safety when their cargo is en route to another place. Ensuring the safety of one’s possessions is a common cry of humanity, and any technological resource that can be mustered to this end is a significant contribution indeed.
The article is authored by Calvin Scott. Calvin articles often speak to about his hard won tech knowledge. Visit his site to know more about container verhuur and zeecontainer te koop.
Img Source popsci.com
