APRIL 2026 LOGISTICS TECH PROVIDERS 25 2026 Logistics tech trends By Pete Goldin, AJOT (TRENDS – continued on page 28) One of the most important logis- tics technology trends for 2026 will be the growing role of AI tools and agents in day-to-day operations, says Brian Smith, CEO, Banyan Tech- nology. Rather than simply serving as standalone assistants, these tech- nologies are becoming embedded in execution workflows to help teams interpret signals, prioritize decisions, uncover cost-saving opportunities and act faster. “Artificial intelligence is already reshaping logistics, but 2026 will be defined by the rise of more auton- omous, decision-capable systems built on a foundation of operational rigor and standardization,” adds Val Marchevsky, CTO, Uber Freight. “The biggest opportunities won’t come from layering AI onto broken processes, but from using it to redesign processes for efficiency, eliminate waste, streamline execution, and help teams move faster and smarter. As these systems evolve, they’ll increasingly identify disrup- tions, recommend actions, and support real-time decision-making across the supply chain.” Leading the way for AI-powered advancements in the supply chain, the vendors on AJOT’s 2026 Top Logistics Tech Providers list are driving a range of tech trends this year, including Agentic AI Last year AJOT reported: the experts expect agentic AI to be the next phase of the AI revolution. In 2026, the logistics industry is rapidly adopting agentic AI, moving beyond basic automation to systems capable of autonomous reasoning, according to Nimesh Akhauri, CEO of The DDC Group. In fact, analyst firm Gartner expects spending on supply chain management (SCM) software with agentic AI to grow from less than $2 billion in 2025 to $53 billion by 2030. Bill Driegert, EVP, Convoy Platform, DAT Freight & Analyt- ics explains that while generative AI (GenAI) helps people work faster, agentic AI acts on its own: monitoring capacity, flagging coverage risks, and managing exceptions without waiting for a human to initiate. “We’re seeing the rapid rise of systems run by AI agents where appli- cations communicate and coordinate directly with each other,” observes Darrin Demchuk, SVP of Prod- uct - Fleet North America, Platform Science. “Instead of drivers and dis- patchers navigating multiple tools, these intelligent agents will manage workflows in real time across vehi- cles, back-office systems, and external networks. This shifts transportation from a series of manual processes to a continuous, automated flow, result- ing in reduced latency, improved decision-making, and a fundamental transformation in how commercial fleets create value.” “This year, given the pressures to manage costs and be more effi- cient, it’s worth asking your providers directly how they’re using agentic AI tools and what results they’re seeing,” Driegert advises. AI-Supported Decision-Making “AI is becoming part of every- day supply chain decision-making,” says Dr. Madhav Durbha, Group VP of Manufacturing Industry Strategy, RELEX Solutions. “As volatility persists, companies are investing in AI-driven forecasting, optimization, and decision support to respond faster and operate with greater confidence, even when conditions change quickly.” “AI is starting to reshape deci- sion-making in logistics, not by replac- ing people, but by supporting them,” Matthew Fotouhi, Chief Innovation Officer, Magaya elaborates. “In areas like customs compliance, where accu- racy matters and ultimate accountabil- ity rests with the broker or importer submitting the filing, human judgment remains paramount. The big change is how quickly teams can access and interpret information. AI can surface relevant regulations, flag risks, and digitize data in seconds. What we’re seeing is better, faster decisions, with humans still firmly in control.” For example, AI can go beyond predictions to recommend operational actions for terminal operators — such as berth planning, crane sequenc- ing, gate scheduling — while clearly showing why those recommendations are made, along with trade-offs and confidence levels, according to Subbu Bhat, Interim President, Head of Engineering, Tideworks Technology. Load consolidation is another example. Smith from Banyan says AI can evaluate shipment patterns in real time and surface smarter ways to com- bine freight, reduce waste and improve transportation decisions at scale. Fleet innovation is transforming trucking operations By Debra Phillips, AJOT Technology is changing the way fleets operate today as managers leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and inte- grated digital platforms to improve performance. With freight demand remaining soft and rising operational costs for fuel, insurance, and equip- ment; technology adoption is no longer optional for companies. According to a report issued by DAT Freight and Analytics, “Technol- ogies that improve cash flow, deliver the visibility customers expect, and maximize utilization are essential.” The adoption of technology by fleet managers is a major shift for an industry that historically oper- ated with paper bills of lading and spreadsheets. Regardless of the spe- cific solutions being adopted, analysts predict that companies that invest in visibility, automation, and data-driven decision-making are better positioned to manage market uncertainty and protect profits as the trucking industry enters another year of freight demand volatility and pricing pressures. Visibility is Key to Asset Utilization and Service Reliability Having the right number of assets strategically located to meet demand is key to asset utilization, and visibil- ity into real-time operations helps fleet managers evaluate the need for addi- tional equipment. Some fleets use “AI copilots” to assist with dispatch, routing, and load matching. These tools support predictive ETAs, providing early alerts about weather disruptions or conges- tion on specific routes. This information helps managers respond faster to prob- lems or even prevent them. Fleet managers are also adopting digital freight platforms to improve freight matching and expedite negoti- ations using real-time market data. By using automated load offers and car- rier selection tools, companies reduce manual work and the amount of time taken for dispatch, improving control and service reliability. These connected systems allow fleet managers to address multiple aspects of fleet management from a single place, saving time and providing visibility across the fleet to support data-driven decision-making. Predictive Maintenance Helps Extend Equipment Lifecycles Keeping trucks moving is critical, and some fleet management solutions use IoT sensors and condition-based maintenance to detect issues sooner, rather than later. Remote diagnostics can help reduce breakdowns, lower- ing the cost of repairs and supporting fleet uptime. AI is being used to analyze uptime, breakdown patterns, and total cost per mile, as well as flagging units that are showing early signs of reliability issues. Fleet managers use technology to predict when a tractor-trailer is near- ing the end of its profitable life, and to compare “repair vs. replace” scenarios. The technology monitors maintenance trends by make, model, and year. This type of automated analysis gives fleet managers a clearer picture of where money is being lost and where a replacement could improve long-term costs. For mid-sized fleets, this will help reduce the risk of over-investing in the wrong equipment, avoid specu- lative truck purchases during uncer- tain conditions, prioritize replacement decisions based on actual data, and ensure assets stay dependable under tighter market conditions. Fuel Efficiency Helps Fleets Manage a Major Operating Cost One of the highest operating costs for fleet managers is fuel. Pricing is also difficult to predict due to fac- tors like political unrest. Chris Spear, President of the American Trucking Association (ATA), told a group of industry leaders on March 16 that a recent military operation involving Iran has already pushed fuel prices sharply higher and created uncertainty about future energy costs. “Even modest fluctuations in diesel prices can have a large impact on trucking operations,” Spear said. “But increases approaching a dollar per gallon within weeks create even more pressure for carriers.” Beyond price fluctuations, many fleets struggle with fuel waste through inefficient routing, excessive idling, and aggressive driver behaviors. Without visibility into fuel consump- tion patterns, it can be difficult to identify where there are opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs. How- ever, with data, fleet managers can implement targeted coaching for driv- ers, optimize routes, and make vehicle maintenance adjustments that directly impact fuel costs. Safety and Regulatory Compliance Require Current Data Fleet managers are responsible for vast amounts of data to meet the Depart- ment of Transportation (DOT) regu- lations, licensing requirements, driver safety standards, accident protocols, and changing requirements regarding zero-emission truck mandates. Non-compliance can lead to high fines, legal liability, and increased insurance costs. In-cab cameras are one way for fleet managers to have visibility into driver behavior and equipment performance. AI systems are transforming how cameras operate inside trucks. Traditional dash cam- eras record events. However, AI-pow- ered cameras interpret events as they happen. These tools recognize risky behaviors and provide proactive alerts. AI identifies distracted driving, tailgating, rolling stops, and other risky actions. Because alerts occur instantly, drivers can correct their behaviors before accidents occur. This reduces collisions and strengthens fleet safety programs. AI enables advanced video recording. Managers no longer sift through hours of footage. AI cameras sort events, organize clips, and highlight patterns. This saves time and speeds up reviews. Clearer video and sharper analytics also support coaching sessions. Sustainability must be Measured to Drive Improvements Regulations like the new heavy- duty emission standards by the EPA, DHL accelerates automation deployments with SVT Robotics SOFTBOT® platform. (INNOVATION – continued on page 34)
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