You’ve heard all the buzzwords before: 3D printing, the internet of things, UAVs (drones) and driverless vehicles. Writers and media people jump on the slightest hint of an emerging trend in logistics as fodder for their insatiable appetite for content. But they soon move on to the next latest thing.

Most of these trends have been “emerging” for many years now. Once the initial glare of media and publicity dims, it becomes increasingly difficult for those in the logistics industry, and their ecommerce customers, to stay up-to-date on if and how trends develop.

So here’s a look at recently published data from the Business to Community website that reflects the current status of the technology trends mentioned above, and shows what ecommerce logistics might look like in 2020:

1. 3D Printing

3D printing brings the point of manufacturing, including OEM, replacement parts and custom products, closer to the end user, reducing the dependence on long-distance transportation and making last-mile delivery increasingly important.

1. 40% of manufacturers and ecommerce retailers surveyed expect their logistics company to have some knowledge/expertise of 3D printing
2. 19.2% of manufacturers and retailers already use some form of 3D printing
3. Only 1.5% have any real expertise in 3D printing

2. The Internet of Things (IoT) 

Immediate and accurate information from the warehouse and in-transit let logistics companies and their customers improve efficiencies and reduce costs throughout the supply chain.

1. 26.25% of  logistics companies use some form of machine-to-machine technology
2. 46.62% plan to do so in the foreseeable future
3. 47% said IoT would have a “tremendous” impact on logistics and supply-chain management
4. 49% said it would have some impact
5. 3% said it would have no impact

3.    UAVs (Drones)

UAVs are seen as a boon to last-mile logistics, but only for smaller packages. They are not affected by vehicle traffic and they can be used to deliver to remote customers.

1. 36% of  the manufacturers and ecommerce retailers surveyed said that some form of regular drone delivery would be in place in 5 to 10 years
2. 6.3% said it would be a regular form of delivery in 10 years
3. 27.31% said that there’s only a slim chance of drone delivery in the next 5 – 10 years.
4. 5.88% said that drone delivery will never happen.

4.    Driverless Vehicles

Driverless vehicles will have an impact across the transportation spectrum, from long-distance transportation to last-mile delivery.

1. 42% of manufacturers and ecommerce retailers would like logistics companies to have some knowledge and expertise of driverless vehicles
2. 12.78% of logistics companies said they have some knowledge of driverless vehicles
3. 6.02% of logistics companies said they plan to add knowledge and services

No one can predict precisely what impact any or all of these technologies will have on ecommerce retailers and their logistics suppliers. But there’s no denying that changes are coming.