Amazon, UPS, and FedEx all said that they are going to open thousands of jobs as demand for online orders and deliveries continue to rise.

As the holiday season nears and the coronavirus makes it impossible for people to go shopping, retailers and couriers prepare as they anticipate a continuous growth in demand. Now, companies like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx intend to hire tens of thousands of workers to address the surge in orders and packages.

FedEx Adds More Staff

At the start of September, FedEx said that it plans to add about 70,000 seasonal hires. Previously, the delivery company has already supplemented thousands more of workers to meet the demand as online orders skyrocketed in the pandemic.

In addition, the courier said it will also expand the availability of its services. FedEx intends to increase Sunday delivery services to the majority of Americans by September. However, the company also said it would increase shipping rates by next year.

UPS Workforce

Likewise, United Parcel Services (UPS) announced last week that it aims to hire 100,000 more staff. The reason also stems from the expected increase in orders during the holidays.

The holidays are coming and we're hiring 100k positions to help. Read on for more information on available roles and the perks of working for us.

— UPS (@UPS) September 9, 2020

UPS plans to open more roles for both full-time and part-time positions. Particularly, it would include package handlers, drivers, and driver helpers, ABC News reported. Moreover, the Atlanta-based courier company reckoned that seasonal hires can eventually lead to an all-year job. Furthermore, UPS claims that 35 percent of its permanent employees came from seasonal package-handling jobs.

Like FedEx, UPS also saw increased orders during the health crisis, which prompted them to add 39,000 more workers.

Amazon to Hire More as it Expands

Meanwhile, this week, e-commerce giant Amazon also desires to up its workforce. The company intends to hire 100,000 more workers. However, Amazon said this does not relate to the holiday season. These new hires would actually fill the company’s 100 new facilities, including warehouses and package sorting centers, Amazon said. 

Also, Amazon announced a Career Day, which would give free coaching sessions to job seekers. It also said that it had 33,000 vacancies for corporate and tech roles across its US operations.

The post These Companies Are Hiring Thousands More Workers Amid Anticipated Rise in Online Orders first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Rob Sterling

Next time you get a package from FedEx, look up. The company has added a fleet of crewless aircraft to its delivery team. Soon, uncrewed cargo planes might help bring your online purchases to your doorstep.  

FedEx’s New Planes

Gizmodo reports that FedEx has teamed up with Reliable Robotics to use its fleet of unmanned aircraft to deliver packages. The company said that it has finished test flights of two remote planes last month in a press release. 

Your FedEx packages may soon arrive by autonomous cargo plane. https://t.co/ubxvgbSHHC pic.twitter.com/5Iu52bDqzG

— Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) September 28, 2020

Now, FedEx owns Reliable Robotics’ larger plane model, the Cessna 208 Caravan. The Caravan has a single engine, and it can carry a max of 14 passengers. If you want to see it in action, here’s a video of its remote landing. 

Changes to FedEx Delivery

In the Gizmodo report, FedEx also said that the new remote planes wouldn’t replace their human pilots and crews. The new aircraft is part of FedEx’s efforts to cut delivery costs.

FedEx has already begun plans to automate part of its delivery process. The company had partnered with Wing to start a drone pilot training program in Virginia last September 19. Also, FedEx rolled out its in-house fleet of delivery robots that should speed up same-day and last-mile deliveries. 

The Future of Delivery

FedEx is not the only company to automate delivery. Alphabet and UPS have received federal approval for drone deliveries. Moreover, the FAA also certified Amazon’s drone program last August.

Reliable Robotics also said that it is working with the FAA to introduce crewless cargo planes to the market. 

The post FedEx May Start Delivering Packages Through Unmanned Cargo Planes first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold

On Monday, American multinational delivery services company FedEx Corp. revealed its latest and more precise method of tracking. The courier introduces its new sensor called the SenseAware ID. Basically, the new sensor-based logistics tool could enhance location visibility among deliveries, especially for future coronavirus vaccine deliveries.

Giving Real-Time Updates

FedEx promised that the SenseAware ID could improve the safety, security, and timeliness of its deliveries. Through the FedEx Express Network, the SenseAware ID could provide exact and real-time coordinates. Actually, the lightweight sensor can transmit location data every two seconds, USA Today reports.

FedEx is launching a sensor-based device the company says will provide real-time tracking updates for future COVID-19 vaccine shipments. https://t.co/Yh93XEZLeL

— USA TODAY Money (@USATODAYmoney) September 14, 2020

More particularly, the SenseAware ID works through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). The compact sensor sends precise location data to the FedEx Express network through WiFi access points or gateway devices. 

Therefore, with SenseAware ID, the number of tracking increases compared to traditional methods, the courier noted. Accordingly, FedEx can track deliveries with the new sensor hundreds of times.

Why Precise Tracking Matters

The significance of precise tracking could benefit the deliveries of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, Business Wire reports. The accurate location could be critical to the healthcare industry. The sensor could especially help shipments with specific temperature requirements, like thermal blankets.

Moreover, FedEx intends to roll out this latest sensor for deliveries of future coronavirus vaccines. With this technology, FedEx can ship the vaccine and other sensitive items safely and quickly.

FedEx executive VP and chief information officer, Robert Carter, said that: “Packaging tracking and visibility are more important now than ever, as businesses have become increasingly reliant on timely deliveries.

Launching of SenseAware ID

The SenseAware ID will launch for First Overnight deliveries within the US. Also, by November, other customers in particular industries will get access to the latest sensor. Specifically, it will include those from healthcare, aerospace, and retail.

Carter added that the SenseAware ID could enable customers “to optimize supply chains and make any necessary adjustments during the journey of their shipments.”

The post FedEx Introduces New Sensor Tech That Could Improve Delivery Tracking first appeared on Tekrati and is written by Sam Arnold