How UPS Delivers Faster Using $8 Headphones and Code That Decides When Dirty Trucks Get Cleaned (technologyreview.com)

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How UPS Delivers Faster Using $8 Headphones and Code That Decides When Dirty Trucks Get Cleaned (technologyreview.com)

Posted by msmash on Monday February 19, 2018 @10:00AM from the fighting-back dept.

With Amazon's imminent plans to launch a low-cost package delivery service, UPS is about to face intense competition from a company with top customer-tracking capabilities and even artificial-intelligence expertise. To tackle it, the company is turning to advances analytics. From a report: In 2016, it began collecting data across its facilities. Today there are about 25 projects based on that data, grouped under the acronym EDGE (which stands for "enhanced dynamic global execution"). The program has sparked changes in everything from how workers place packages inside delivery trucks in the morning to how the vast army of temporary hires that UPS recruits during the busy holiday season are trained. Eventually, data will even dictate when UPS vehicles get washed. The company expects to save $200 million to $300 million a year once the program is fully deployed.

[...] Another project tells seasonal workers where to direct the outbound packages that UPS vehicles pick up throughout the day and bring to the company's sorting facilities. UPS hires nearly 100,000 of these workers from November through January. Typically, these people would need to memorize hundreds of zip codes to know where to place parcels, but last winter UPS outfitted about 2,500 of them with scanning devices and $8 Bluetooth headphones that issue one-word directions, such as "Green," "Red," or "Blue." The colors correspond to specific conveyor belts, which then transport the packages to other parts of the building for further processing.

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obligatory, by now by sheramil · 2018-02-19 10:05 · Score: 5, Interesting

http://marshallbrain.com/manna1.htm
1. Re:obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:11 · Score: 1
  
  You beat me to it. That is the first thing that came to mind.
2. Re:obligatory, by now by sheramil · 2018-02-19 10:18 · Score: 2
  
  Next best thing would be Charles Stross' "Antibodies", with the 'borged cops.
3. Re:obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:20 · Score: 0
  
  You beat me to it.
  Ha ha. AC's still memorizing ZIP codes, but sheramil only needs to be told Red, Green or Blue.
4. Re:obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:23 · Score: 0
  
  Oh, give me a home, in terrafoam
  Where the robots and rabid dogs play
  Where seldom is heard an encouraging word
  And the skies are all cloudy all day
  Home, home in the foam
  Where the robots and the rabid dogs play
  Where seldom is heard an encouraging word
  And the skies are all cloudy all day
5. Re:obligatory, by now by CODiNE · 2018-02-19 10:25 · Score: 3, Interesting
  
  Definitely. However in the book the owners of the Manna systems network them and share data. Wouldn't that put them at a competitive disadvantage, it would also most likely be illegal given how little you can ask former employers about workers.
  But yeah, headsets with indoor mapping via WiFi... machine learning managing fast food supplies and routines... it's getting VERY doable these days.
  
  --
  Cwm, fjord-bank glyphs vext quiz
6. Re: obligatory, by now by saloomy · 2018-02-19 10:29 · Score: 2
  
  Lol, too funny. But it's great! Good to see Amazon giving UPS and Fedex some competition. This will all result in lower prices and higher efficiency. More savings for stockholders (thats us), more savings for consumers (us again).
  Fantastic. I'm interested in how they managed to convince the higher ups to spend the money on these projects, and how they outlined their ROI. Project Justification was never really my strong suit.
7. Re:obligatory, by now by goombah99 · 2018-02-19 10:29 · Score: 1
  
  This is getting funny and unnerving.
  
  --
  Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
8. Re:obligatory, by now by goombah99 · 2018-02-19 10:34 · Score: 1
  
  After google or Walmart buys UPS the sharing internal to the company will get easier.
  
  --
  Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
9. Re:obligatory, by now by turp182 · 2018-02-19 10:51 · Score: 1
  
  Wish I had karma, this was my first thought.
  
  --
  BlameBillCosby.com
10. Re:obligatory, by now by rtb61 · 2018-02-19 10:52 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  They never will. Reality corporations are basically psychopathic dicks. They will never service all areas unless forced to, focusing all efforts on the most profitable locations and then competition and greed will always create cabals to eliminate that competition and hugely inflate profits margins. This would kill town after town and well, you can see the problems.
  This is exactly why government needs to do essential services because more uniform provision of service across the community ensuring a more distributed society across the country, run on a more fair basis.
  Of course with US politics the way it is, entering it from the outside seems more like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?..., if there is a greedily stupid way of doing things badly the US will find it.
  
  --
  Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
11. Re:obligatory, by now by tlhIngan · 2018-02-19 10:59 · Score: 1
  
  Definitely. However in the book the owners of the Manna systems network them and share data. Wouldn't that put them at a competitive disadvantage, it would also most likely be illegal given how little you can ask former employers about workers.
  Well, the owners of more and more places are consolidating into ever larger conglomerates, so two companies that you think may be competing against each other may actually have the same parent company. This is especially true in the quick-service food industry where there are really only a few companies controlling quite a few brands. In this case, sharing data might be quite doable and not hurt them competitively. And you might end up having a "conglomerate ID" when you get a job at one of these companies.
  Right now, FedEx and UPS are separate companies, but who knows in the future. Outside of North America, FedEx and UPS are bit players - everyone uses DHL if they want to mean anything
  The era of huge companies is here, and granted, most of them have been allowing their subsidiaries pretty much complete control management wise to keep each brand having their own separate and distinct identities but they are still controlled by one head honcho at the top.
12. Re: obligatory, by now by quonset · 2018-02-19 11:41 · Score: 2, Interesting
  
  It's so cute when someone thinks private industry will pass on cost savings to consumers.
  Remember many, many years ago, during the Bush administration, when gas was ~$4/gallon and both FedEx and UPS raised their rates claiming it was because of higher fuel costs? When gas fell to ~$2/gallon, did you see them lower their rates?
  It's like when people think giving companies a tax break will mean all their employees will get a rise in their wages.
  Naivety is so cute.
13. Re: obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 11:48 · Score: 0
  
  MR=MC
  That is max profit. Anywhere else on the graph is an economic loss. It is so cute when those who think companies do not follow economic things.
  Amazon for example sees blood in the water and is starting their own. Meaning Amazon thinks they can beat the costs of USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL.
  If it is economically feasible lowering prices can in some cases cause profit to rise. Your example would suggest that their prices were too low in the first place. Considering the explosion of shipping going on I am not surprised in that.
14. Re:obligatory, by now by sheramil · 2018-02-19 11:51 · Score: 1
  
  Aside from "squant", what other colours are there?
15. Re:obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 12:06 · Score: 0
  
  This is the dumbest shit I have ever read. Has this person ever worked in fast food? Half the customers are homeless and dealing with the day-to-day insanity takes an actual person. Predicting when the trash cans are full? What a laugh. What about cleaning up the shit streaks in the bathroom the last bum left? Or dealing with the idiot who has his "service animal" that isn't even housebroken? What about dealing with the employees who are marginally attached to their jobs?
16. Re:obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 12:48 · Score: 1
  
  Well, the owners of more and more places are consolidating into ever larger conglomerates, so two companies that you think may be competing against each other may actually have the same parent company. This is especially true in the quick-service food industry where there are really only a few companies controlling quite a few brands. In this case, sharing data might be quite doable and not hurt them competitively. And you might end up having a "conglomerate ID" when you get a job at one of these companies.
  No. There's enough conglomerates who are actively fighting against each other and would strive their best to avoid telling their competitors that "employee X is a slacker". By the same token, in a lot of rural locations companies just have to put up with slacker workers because the alternative is to be absolutely understaffed.
  The example of "just speed up an assembly line" doesn't work in real life in many circumstances. The fryer can only take so much food at once and enough people calling off once--because it's fly season or the like--will just hurt some companies over others pretty badly. Meanwhile, the whole idea that a lot of people would be unemployed looking for jobs? If it's as hopeless as stated, people would stop being "unemployed" because that classification nominally only applies to those actively seeking work. Once you know you're banned, you just stop looking.
  Don't get me wrong. At least some of what was said is doable. The whole "employee asks you if you need help" every couple minutes would be beyond annoying. The general standard for customer satisfaction in most places isn't "trash isn't full" but at the limit "trash is full and employees are standing around doing nothing about it". Help buttons would be abused by customers and nothing about the Manna system addresses that. Lots of people aren't actually minimum wage workers and would balk at being ordered exactly what to do.
  I'd say The Creature from Cleveland Depths is more prophetic even if the whole scheduling and constant in-the-ear speach isn't there. People are more engrossed in their phones than most are ever willing to listen blindly to a voice through a headset dictating what to do.
17. Re: obligatory, by now by saloomy · 2018-02-19 13:16 · Score: 1
  
  What are you, high? They obviously will when amazon comes out with "unlimited shipping for..."
  Besides, if you think they wont, buy some shares. The savings go somewhere.
  Just wait and see.
18. Re:obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 13:56 · Score: 0
  
  > takes an actual person
  lol, as if commoners are actual people.
  You know what it's going to take? "Associate #73149, complete your 12:30 bathroom cleaning including shitstreaks or you will receive a demerit. This will be your second and final demerit, after your bus was five minutes late during the terrorist event of 2083, when a factory was attacked by insurgents who sabotaged blankets, socks, and coats."
  Are you saying the machine is at fault when it makes demands like cook a two-minute egg in 30 seconds? You're right. And it doesn't matter. No one gives a fuck. Bottom line is love, bottom line is life. With hungry proles lined up outside, it's actually more efficient to find an excuse to cause artificial turnover and bring in fresh meat. Christ, we do that NOW.
  Y'know what, it's fine, go ahead, enjoy your myopia. Be comfortable. I certainly am. We dodged the bullet, son. It's 2018, the boat still hasn't sank, the liferafts aren't nearly full yet. It's like being born just 100 years before the Chicxulub meteor hit! How perfect is that? It's like cheating the reaper!
  The worms will have eaten me long before I get the chance to endure watching the best part, the "bloat relocation" proposal, codename Convict Island 2.0. God, what a comfort.
19. Re: obligatory, by now by c6gunner · 2018-02-19 14:22 · Score: 4, Insightful
  
  It's so cute when someone thinks private industry will pass on cost savings to consumers.
  Check out the price of a 70" 4k LED TV in 2015 vs now. Let me know what you find.
20. Re: obligatory, by now by c6gunner · 2018-02-19 14:25 · Score: 1
  
  Sounds like someone is confused about the difference between UPS and USPS. Amongst many other things.
21. Re: obligatory, by now by ShanghaiBill · 2018-02-19 14:27 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  It's so cute when someone thinks private industry will pass on cost savings to consumers.
  If they are in a competitive industry, they have no choice. If they don't pass on the savings, their competitors will. For instance, when grocery stores can cut costs, they pass nearly all savings along as lower prices. Tech companies are protected from competition by IP laws, so they pass on far less. You can only buy an iPhone from Apple.
  
  when gas was ~$4/gallon and both FedEx and UPS raised their rates claiming it was because of higher fuel costs? When gas fell to ~$2/gallon, did you see them lower their rates?
  This is an example of "implicit collusion". That is what you get with a duopoly. More market participants make that much harder.
22. Re:obligatory, by now by ShanghaiBill · 2018-02-19 14:45 · Score: 1
  
  so two companies that you think may be competing against each other may actually have the same parent company.
  ... or the same shareholders. Many, many corporate board members come from investment companies, such as Fidelity, Vanguard, KKR, Blackstone, etc. If Fidelity owns 5% of UPS and 5% of Fedex, the last thing they want is a price war that will drive down the profits of both companies. Since they have seats on both boards, they can ecourange implicit collusion by arguing for "price stability".
23. Re:obligatory, by now by nasch · 2018-02-19 16:35 · Score: 1
  
  Outside of North America, FedEx and UPS are bit players - everyone uses DHL if they want to mean anything
  You made me curious. According to the numbers I could find, FedEx International ships about twice as many packages as DHL.
  http://s1.q4cdn.com/714383399/... (p. 13)
  http://wap.dhl.com/info/compan...
24. Re: obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 16:46 · Score: 0
  
  It's so cute when someone thinks private industry will pass on cost savings to consumers.
  Check out the price of a 70" 4k LED TV in 2015 vs now. Let me know what you find.
  That's a horrible example, you've cherry picked a TV size that's never ever ever ever going to be high in demand, so of course the price will remain high.
  Meanwhile, 55" TV prices have dropped like a rock while delivering more features.
25. Re: obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 16:57 · Score: 0
  
  Self reply: look, I blame /.'s horrible formatting, I didn't catch the contrast between the parent and GP here.
  So $1500 for a decent 70" 4k Sony today vs.. good jebus I see your point.
26. Re:obligatory, by now by Johnny+Mnemonic · 2018-02-19 17:31 · Score: 1
  
  That is really optimistic about people following directions. I think the author under appreciates vandalism, or simply not following directions out of spite.
  If one of those Help buttons was pushed repeatedly, for example. Or if one of the employees didn't do what it was told. Or the employees attempted to outsmart "manna" by probing for it's logic weaknesses, and, then finding them, exploit them.
  One of the reasons that employees are reluctant to exploit human mangers is because of the guilt they'd feel. There'd be less guilt in exploiting the oversight weaknesses of an AI, and it'd become a game.
  
  --
  
  --
  $tar -xvf .sig.tar
27. Re: obligatory, by now by thegarbz · 2018-02-19 20:13 · Score: 1
  
  Or for that matter the cost of shipping it. Even in the surgical case costs have come down over the years.
28. Re:obligatory, by now by jabuzz · 2018-02-19 23:53 · Score: 1
  
  I suggest you ask KFC just how well using DHL is working out for them in the UK at the moment.
29. Re: obligatory, by now by GameboyRMH · 2018-02-20 00:57 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  It's like when people think giving companies a tax break will mean all their employees will get a rise in their wages.
  Naivety is so cute.
  And it's so easy to fool them with crumbs. Like when Trump organized the current redistribution of wealth to the 1%, companies gave about 3.3% of the money they received from corporate tax breaks to workers as one-time bonuses, and most workers lapped it up - "5 stars, would cut taxes for the ownership class again!" they thought. They even got offended when someone pointed out that 3.3% is crumbs.
  It's almost difficult to blame the 1% for playing these people like the fools they are for every penny they're worth. Almost.
  
  --
  "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
30. Re: obligatory, by now by GameboyRMH · 2018-02-20 01:05 · Score: 1, Interesting
  
  Check out the price of a 70" 4k LED TV in 2015 vs now. Let me know what you find.
  That's right, everyone's economic problems are solved, because we have bigass thin TVs now! We can eat those TVs. Build houses on those TVs. Support families with those TVs. Inches of TV = prosperity.
  Wait, you mean they're just good for watching shows!? WTF kind of garbage is this!?!? Can I trade this TV in for a 17" CRT tube with bad colors and faux wood paneling, and get back all that other stuff!? I CAN'T!?!?! >:(
  
  --
  "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
31. Re:obligatory, by now by GameboyRMH · 2018-02-20 01:10 · Score: 1
  
  Definitely. However in the book the owners of the Manna systems network them and share data. Wouldn't that put them at a competitive disadvantage, it would also most likely be illegal given how little you can ask former employers about workers.
  Well companies have been salivating over the idea of a universal shared employment blacklist since approximately forever, so they don't seem to think it would put them at a competitive disadvantage.
  As for being illegal? An easy problem to fix in the age of #MAGA!
  
  --
  "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
32. Re: obligatory, by now by c6gunner · 2018-02-20 01:36 · Score: 1
  
  Pretty sure you replied on the wrong website. Amazon product reviews are on Amazon.com.
  Cheers.
33. Re:obligatory, by now by Joey+Vegetables · 2018-02-20 02:00 · Score: 1
  
  There has been for at least 30 years. https://www.mib.com/request_yo... Serious illnesses will show up on that record, and, while this is not supposed to be legal, bigger companies will be MUCH less likely to hire you if you have or recently have had one.
  
  --
  
  Nonaggression works!
34. Re:obligatory, by now by thomn8r · 2018-02-20 04:20 · Score: 1
  
  the owners of the Manna systems network them and share data. Wouldn't that put them at a competitive disadvantage,
  It would make more sense if it was positioned more like the credit agencies and payroll services are; other employer wouldn't be buying the data from Burger G, but rather and Experian or ADP.
35. Re:obligatory, by now by Jeremi · 2018-02-20 05:55 · Score: 1
  
  One of the reasons that employees are reluctant to exploit human mangers is because of the guilt they'd feel. There'd be less guilt in exploiting the oversight weaknesses of an AI, and it'd become a game.
  Aren't you forgetting the employees' other motivation -- wanting to keep their jobs?
  People will put up with a lot in return for a steady paycheck, and it's unlikely that employees looking to "exploit the system" would go undetected for long.
  
  --
  
  I don't care if it's 90,000 hectares. That lake was not my doing.
36. Re: obligatory, by now by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-20 08:53 · Score: 0
  
  The other wonderful fantasy is that we get to pick corporate winners and losers by what we buy or refuse to buy. The best way to garner market share is not to produce a better mousetrap, but to either buy out the other mousetrap companies, or lock up financing, so they can't borrow. I used to work as a typist on Wall St, and read what I typed.
37. Re: obligatory, by now by cthulhu11 · 2018-02-20 11:16 · Score: 1
  
  ... and let's see how said people feel when they see their 2018 tax returns, without a bunch of deductions. Many people who have historically itemized will get less back.
38. Re: obligatory, by now by SamTombs · 2018-02-20 13:50 · Score: 1
  
  You're probably right - but what income class itemizes rather than taking the (now larger) standard deduction?
39. Re: obligatory, by now by cthulhu11 · 2018-02-20 14:11 · Score: 1
  
  Anyone with a mortgage or medical expenses.
Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:24 · Score: -1

Now that is what I call work fit for the American education system. Keep it simple enough, and they can do the work.
Red, Green, Blue.
1,2,3
Nothing that needs more than 5 commands, or requires counting past 10.
So simple, even auto workers can do it.
1. Re:Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:47 · Score: 0
  
  How many people from your country have walked on the moon, Yurofriend?
2. Re:Work Fit For Americans by Potor · 2018-02-19 11:11 · Score: 1
  
  McDonalds, for instance, has long been trying to remove any skill from any of its restaurant jobs. The cash registers even have pictures of the "food" on them.
3. Re:Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 11:16 · Score: 0
  
  Thank you, Wernher von Braun.
4. Re: Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 11:16 · Score: 0
  
  McDonalds, for instance, has long been trying to remove any skill from any of its restaurant jobs. The cash registers even have pictures of the "food" on them.
  So we can create skilled employment by removing the pictures from the cash registers?
  Fuck off Porter.
5. Re:Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 12:20 · Score: 0
  
  You can thank Von Braun and the other paperclip scientists who provided the brains.
  The Americans provided the trained monkeys.
6. Re:Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 14:27 · Score: 0
  
  If you had the kind of turnover problem that McDonald's has, you'd do about anything you can to improve training time as well. Bright side of this is that if the person taking your order is slow (because it's their first day) you can lean over the counter and help.
7. Re: Work Fit For Americans by c6gunner · 2018-02-19 14:29 · Score: 1
  
  Von Braun was an american you silly git.
  BTW how's the German moon shot coming along?
8. Re: Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 15:44 · Score: 0
  
  Von Braun, a name as American as Apfel Pie.
  Yes, it's the Proper German spelling. As Von-Braun is German.
  Again, Germans provided the solid engineering foundation, the Americans provide, and continue to provide a supply of Trained Monkeys.
  It's now the Russians that send the Americans into space.
9. Re: Work Fit For Americans by c6gunner · 2018-02-19 16:50 · Score: 1
  
  There's no such thing as an american name, dumbass. You're speaking about a nation built through immigration.
10. Re: Work Fit For Americans by serviscope_minor · 2018-02-19 20:33 · Score: 1
  
  Von Braun was an american you silly git.
  Born in Germany, worked for the Nazis. Escaped to Austria in 1945 and surrendered to an American soldier, age 30.
  
  --
  SJW n. One who posts facts.
11. Re:Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 21:01 · Score: 0
  
  Does it impress your friends that you are a chronic liar? You realize other people can look at the registers and see you're lying, right? Loser.
12. Re: Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 23:54 · Score: 0
  
  Don't forget his Nazi buddies, I mean, other good people that he brought. Good people, good people on both sides.
13. Re: Work Fit For Americans by c6gunner · 2018-02-20 00:13 · Score: 1
  
  Correct. And Hitler was born in Austria. Moved to Germany at 23.
14. Re: Work Fit For Americans by dunkelfalke · 2018-02-20 04:53 · Score: 1
  
  Hitler was Austrian. What is your point exactly?
  
  --
  "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
15. Re: Work Fit For Americans by serviscope_minor · 2018-02-20 09:22 · Score: 1
  
  Correct.
  that seems to be a concession that you were in fact not right, von Braun was not American and the GGP was not a "silly git".
  And Hitler was born in Austria. Moved to Germany at 23.
  I don't get your point. It's very widely known that Hitler was Austrian.
  
  --
  SJW n. One who posts facts.
16. Re: Work Fit For Americans by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-20 09:46 · Score: 0
  
  What's funny in this thread is watching the "point" (such as it was) get batted around and morphed until it just leaves the area completely and we're left with snarky-sounding rhetoric about nothing.
17. Re: Work Fit For Americans by c6gunner · 2018-02-20 14:06 · Score: 1
  
  that seems to be a concession that you were in fact not right, von Braun was not American and the GGP was not a "silly git".
  Incorrect. von Braun was definitely American.
  
  I don't get your point. It's very widely known that Hitler was Austrian.
  Hitler was German.
18. Re: Work Fit For Americans by dunkelfalke · 2018-02-20 20:28 · Score: 1
  
  Von Braun was German and Hitler was Austrian.
  There was no doubt about the latter even in the Nazi Germany.
  The difference was that back then many Germans and many Austrians considered Austria a part of Germany that was disallowed to be a part of Germany by the treaties of Versailles and St. Germaine. Nowadays, not so much.
  
  --
  "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" -- David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
19. Re: Work Fit For Americans by c6gunner · 2018-02-21 20:37 · Score: 1
  
  Von Braun was German and Hitler was Austrian.
  There was no doubt about the latter even in the Nazi Germany.
  That's cute. Tell me, then, what nationality was Napoleano di Buonaparte?
Half-way finished. by Gravis+Zero · 2018-02-19 10:24 · Score: 3, Insightful

This is just the halfway point between human based systems and total automation. Right now, the computers are the brains and the humans are the brawn. After they have the brains part worked out, they'll start replacing the brawn with robots. If they are this far advanced into automation then they are already working on the robotic component.

--
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
1. Re:Half-way finished. by JaredOfEuropa · 2018-02-19 10:26 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  I wouldn’t worry about robotic overlords. Not if their conquest depends on Bluetooth.
  
  --
  If construction was anything like programming, an incorrectly fitted lock would bring down the entire building...
2. Re:Half-way finished. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:29 · Score: 1
  
  Biologic is always more energy-efficient than robotics. The lowest cost is using cellular motion than electric motion. This is the reason that the world is filled with living organism than robots. The sooner you learn this, the less money you will lose chasing the wind. There has not been a lot of research done in this area and to my mind it is a field ripe for the picking.
3. Re:Half-way finished. by CohibaVancouver · 2018-02-19 10:30 · Score: 2
  
  I wouldn't worry about robotic overlords. Not if their conquest depends on Bluetooth.
  The Bluetooth is there because humans occasionally put packages on the wrong truck.
  
  Robots never would, so robots wouldn't have / need the Beepy Bluetooth gadget.
4. Re:Half-way finished. by Gravis+Zero · 2018-02-19 10:36 · Score: 2
  
  It doesn't. The human interface is what relies on Bluetooth and humans are going to be removed from the process. Therefore, Bluetooth will also be removed from the process.
  Total automation is coming quickly and it will be putting many millions of people out of a job.
  
  --
  Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
5. Re:Half-way finished. by Immerman · 2018-02-19 10:49 · Score: 3, Informative
  
  You've got that a bit wrong there: as you say, the computer is already the brains, AI is good enough. Humans are already the brawn - which means that to replace us, they need automated brawn of comparable utility. And human hands and bodies are impressively nimble and versatile. It's robotics that aren't good enough yet, but they're advancing rapidly.
  
  --
  --- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
6. Re:Half-way finished. by Killall+-9+Bash · 2018-02-19 10:51 · Score: -1
  
  ERROR.
  ZIP CODE OVERFLOW.
  PACKAGE ROUTED TO MOSCOW.
  PACKAGE CONTENTS: 1 W-88 ADJUSTABLE THERMONUCLEAR WARHEAD
  
  NOTE TO CARRIER:
  CONTENTS OF PACKAGE PROTECTED BY FAILSAFE DEVICE. FAILSAFE DEVICE ACTIVATES UPON VOICE RECOGNITION OF NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE. DO NOT OPEN DEVICE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DELIVER DEVICE OUTSIDE OF 48 CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES.
  
  lamenes filter is lame.
  Pleased him another was settled for. Moreover end horrible endeavor entrance any families. Income appear extent on of thrown in admire. Stanhill on we if vicinity material in. Saw him smallest you provided ecstatic supplied. Garret wanted expect remain as mr. Covered parlors concern we express in visited to do. Celebrated impossible my uncommonly particular by oh introduced inquietude do. Merry alone do it burst me songs. Sorry equal charm joy her those folly ham. In they no is many both. Recommend new contented intention improving bed performed age. Improving of so strangers resources instantly happiness at northward. Danger nearer length oppose really add now either. But ask regret eat branch fat garden. Become am he except wishes. Past so at door we walk want such sang. Feeling colonel get her garrets own. Of on affixed civilly moments promise explain fertile in. Assurance advantage belonging happiness departure so of. Now improving and one sincerity intention allowance commanded not. Oh an am frankness be necessary earnestly advantage estimable extensive. Five he wife gone ye. Mrs suffering sportsmen earnestly any. In am do giving to afford parish settle easily garret. Blind would equal while oh mr do style. Lain led and fact none. One preferred sportsmen resolving the happiness continued. High at of in loud rich true. Oh conveying do immediate acuteness in he. Equally welcome her set nothing has gravity whether parties. Fertile suppose shyness mr up pointed in staying on respect. Is we miles ready he might going. Own books built put civil fully blind fanny. Projection appearance at of admiration no. As he totally cousins warrant besides ashamed do. Therefore by applauded acuteness supported affection it. Except had sex limits county enough the figure former add. Do sang my he next mr soon. It merely waited do unable. Oh acceptance apartments up sympathize astonished delightful. Waiting him new lasting towards. Continuing melancholy especially so to. Me unpleasing impossible in attachment announcing so astonished. What ask leaf may nor upon door. Tended remain my do stairs. Oh smiling amiable am so visited cordial in offices hearted. Chapter too parties its letters nor. Cheerful but whatever ladyship disposed yet judgment. Lasted answer oppose to ye months no esteem. Branched is on an ecstatic directly it. Put off continue you denoting returned juvenile. Looked person sister result mr to. Replied demands charmed do viewing ye colonel to so. Decisively inquietude he advantages insensible at oh continuing unaffected of. But why smiling man her imagine married. Chiefly can man her out believe manners cottage colonel unknown. Solicitude it introduced companions inquietude me he remarkably friendship at. My almost or horses period. Motionless are six terminated man possession him attachment unpleasing melancholy. Sir smile arose one share. No abroad in easily relied an whence lovers temper by. Looked wisdom common he an be giving length mr. Unfeeling so rapturous discovery he exquisite. Reasonably so middletons or impression by terminated. Old pleasure required removing elegance him had. Down she bore sing saw calm high. Of an or game gate west face shed. ïno great but music too old found arose. Ignorant saw her her drawings marriage laughter. Case oh an that or away sigh do here upon. Acuteness you exquisite ourselves now end forfeited. Enquire ye without it garrets up himself. Interest our nor received followed was. Cultivated an up solicitude mr unpleasant. lamenes filter is lame.
  
  --
  "Prediction: within 10 years, Windows will be a Linux distribution." Me, 7-6-2016
7. Re:Half-way finished. by Gravis+Zero · 2018-02-19 11:01 · Score: 1
  
  Robots only need to be able to handle some cases as long as they can offload work they are unable to do onto humans. If they can only handle 50% of stuff, that's a huge savings already. It far more likely that they will be able to handle 95% of things right out of the gate.
  
  --
  Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
8. Re:Half-way finished. by gurps_npc · 2018-02-19 11:59 · Score: 2
  
  You have made the same mistake that all the other doomsday soothsayers.
  Computers do not have brains and are not intelligent. They have logic processors and are fast. There is a huge difference.
  Logic processors lists the fastest route and also the one that burns less gas. Brains tell you to whether to try for the fastest route or the route with less gas.
  Computers are really really good at answering math related questions (and a lot of questions are math related). They really really suck at deciding which question to ask.
  
  --
  excitingthingstodo.blogspot.com
9. Re:Half-way finished. by 110010001000 · 2018-02-19 12:09 · Score: 1
  
  Give it up. AI nutters don't really understand computers. They just think it is magic and that AI is going to appear.
10. Re:Half-way finished. by Gravis+Zero · 2018-02-19 12:48 · Score: 2
  
  You have made the same mistake that all the other doomsday soothsayers.
  I have not because it was a metaphor, jackass. Brain and brawn are the fleshy analogs of CPUs and robotics. I'm not saying they will be smart, I'm saying they'll be able to perform the same task repeatedly without pay and thus displace millions of workers.
  
  Computers are really really good at answering math related questions (and a lot of questions are math related). They really really suck at deciding which question to ask.
  I'm sure they can recognize metaphors better than you.
  
  --
  Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
11. Re:Half-way finished. by Antique+Geekmeister · 2018-02-19 13:48 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  If I may? I do understand computers. Many of the concerns about AI are not from designed or evolved malice on the part of the AI. It's from excessive trust in a system that responds in nanoseconds and may have enormous power, power that was granted them by accident or because of excessive trust in a fallible architecture.
12. Re:Half-way finished. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 13:59 · Score: 0
  
  Tomayto, tomahto, long as I don't have to feed proles that need sleep and breaks, vitamins and minerals, oh and those pesky paychecks, ugh the list goes ON.
13. Re:Half-way finished. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 14:08 · Score: 0
  
  Whatever you call the "magic", the contenders are already picked for it, already in the arena for it, desperately fighting over first-to-market, dueling on every level (not just courts) and grabbing at every advantage they can legally (or "legally") get.
  Yeah, sure, they're fighting over something imaginary, okay bud. If it helps you sleep at -- y'know, maybe I should think like that too. I mean, it's not like I can affect it.
14. Re:Half-way finished. by swillden · 2018-02-19 19:20 · Score: 2
  
  Give it up. AI nutters don't really understand computers. They just think it is magic and that AI is going to appear.
  I deeply understand computers, don't think it is magic, and do think that AI is going to appear.
  It won't appear magically, but through experimental research into how cognition works. I don't expect strong AI to come until we understand how to build it, but anyone who says that's never going to happen is engaging in supernatural thinking. There's nothing magical about our brains, therefore there's nothing -- other than lack of knowledge -- preventing us from building strong AI.
  And it is abundantly clear that once we do figure out how to build strong AI, we will give that knowledge to the AI for use in designing its successor. The AI Singularity is inevitable. How far we are from it is unknowable, because we won't build strong AI until we have developed a good theory of cognition, and we cannot know whether that breakthrough is minutes or centuries away.
  
  --
  Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
15. Re:Half-way finished. by novakyu · 2018-02-19 19:50 · Score: 1
  
  Sounds like somebody has never seen Doctor Who.
16. Re: Half-way finished. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-20 10:13 · Score: 0
  
  This.
17. Re:Half-way finished. by Immerman · 2018-02-20 16:11 · Score: 1
  
  True - though it depends very much on what part of the job needs human skills. For example, if you need a human to take a package up the stairs and ring the doorbell for delivery, then it probably doesn't do you much good to automate the delivery truck and render the delivery person into an idle passenger riding between stops.
  
  --
  --- Most topics have many sides worth arguing, allow me to take one opposite you.
Q: SNOWDEN is CIA plant in war with the NSA by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:28 · Score: -1, Offtopic

http://qanonposts.com/
!UW.yye1fxoQ5997a0
180445
>>180316
HK allowed his passport to clear customs WITH THE CLOWNS IN AMERICA AND DEPT OF DEFENSE PUTTING A NAT SEC HOLD WW?
How does he clear customs?
How does he end up in Russia?
Coincidence?
Who was the 1st agency he worked for?
Who taught him the game?
Who assigned him w/ foreign ops?
Why is this relevant?
Future unlocks past.
Watch the news.
Spider web.
Stop taking the sleeping pill.
Q
Feb 18 2018 20:41:03
!UW.yye1fxoQ
104
@SNOWDEN
WHERE ARE YOU?
NOT RUSSIA.
[EYES ON]
YOU ARE NOW A LIABILITY.
HELPING @JACK?
PROJECT DEEPDREAMv2[A]].
WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
ES FAILED.
WHERE IS ES?
JOHN PERRY BARLOW.
DEFINE THE END?
THE DAY OF RECKONING IS UPON US.
JOHN 3:16
Q
Q: Total take down of the deep state in progress
https://twitter.com/hashtag/qa...?
src=hash
13,000 sealed indictments sent in 3 months (Prior Average 1k a year) Cells for 13,000 inmates being built in Guantanamo Don't believe?
check current flight records to Gitmo Contractors flying #qanon #thegreatawakening
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DW...
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DW...
BIG DROP: How did NK obtain Uranium?
How did Iran obtain Uranium?
Why did BO send billions (in cash and wire) to Iran?
Why the cash component?
Was the hostage component a cover? For what?
Could any of the cash component be handed off to other people?
How many planes carried the cash into Iran?
Did all land in Iran?
Did all land in the same location?
Why is this relevant?
Who controls NK?
Who really controls NK?
Don't think of a single person. Think of a powerful entity. Why is this important? Why are wars so important? Who benefits?
What does hostage refer to?
Who can be held hostage and controlled by NK having miniaturized nuclear weapons?
Where is BO TODAY?Where is VJ?
Alice & Wonderland.
1. Re: Q: SNOWDEN is CIA plant in war with the NSA by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 11:13 · Score: 0
  
  It's a shame this Q guy never learned to speak in clear, complete sentences. It's almost as if the goal is to be purposely vague so people can apply confirmation bias after something happens.
alternatives by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:28 · Score: 0

1- smart glasses: when someone look at a package label, embedded camera automatically scan the code and the glasses show the color or a guiding arrow or something
2- robots: robotic arm, automatic label scan, pick and launch or drop
3- profit!
Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by SuperKendall · 2018-02-19 10:31 · Score: 1

To me it seems like the biggest problem UPS has, is that they are the worst at understanding where a package is in their system.
At this point I've had four or five packages shipped via UPS that essentially "disappeared" within the system, some of them packages with over $1k worth of camera gear. I eventually got all of them, but sometimes up to a week after the expected delivery date - even though I had opted for two-day shipping.
Also going to a distribution center to pick up packages from both FedEx and UPS, UPS had by far worse facilities kept up facilities. Basic building maintenance can say a lot about the quality of other aspects of operation.
I will say UPS drivers seem actually really good and are often pushed to what seem like absurd hours. So that part of the system seems OK, it's more the internal aspects which at least are probably easier to fix than a bad driving network.
You can only make use of analytics, if the data you can feed to the analytics is sound...

--
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1. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Osgeld · 2018-02-19 10:37 · Score: 1
  
  Sometimes its better to not know, I had a package go from Orlando FL to Louisville Ky THOUGH Seattle Wa, or another one that went from New York to Canada via Los Angles
  its amazing how blithering incompetent they are at their ONE job, its not just an occasional oops, its every single package just wandering for days or weeks to hopefully end up in the correct area by sheer luck
2. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:49 · Score: 0
  
  FexEx is the worst to work for.
3. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:55 · Score: 1
  
  Having been in a UPS sorting facility or two... that is probably a seasonal worker placing a destination sticker on the wrong bag (small items are sorted into bags).
  That whole back went to the wrong place... then got shipped back to WorldPort the main UPS air hub in the US to figure out where it should have went...
4. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:58 · Score: 0
  
  which one? There's only like, 10 opcos.
5. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by 93+Escort+Wagon · 2018-02-19 11:23 · Score: 4, Interesting
  
  I haven’t had this problem with either UPS or FedEx.
  Amazon delivery, on the other hand... a couple weeks ago, I had to return a package that had been thrown into the grass inside a fenced yard (not for the first time). It was out there a couple days because the Amazon delivery driver had recorded “handed directly to a neighbor” - some of my neighbors have odd hours, so it takes a while to make contact with all of them. I finally happened to notice a small yellow corner of an envelope poking up amid a bunch of tall grass..
  I’ve had Amazon drivers stuff boxes into trees (“left in a secure location”, the delivery note said - thank God the imbecile actually took a delivery photo that time!); in the grass; sitting in the rain, right underneath a laminated 8”x11” sign stating “please deliver packages to the back door”; all sorts of ridiculous locations. I’ve complained every time, and been told each time that I can’t exclude Amazon delivery from my options.
  I’ve had Prime for years... but, after the latest debacle, I cancelled all my subscribe and save deliveries and am spending the next ten months (till renewal time) exploring alternatives to Amazon. There are certainly a number of companies trying to get into that space...
  
  --
  #DeleteChrome
6. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by jrumney · 2018-02-19 12:38 · Score: 1
  
  To me it seems like the biggest problem UPS has, is that faced with the prospect of competition from Amazon, they go and tell the press all their best efficiency improvement secrets.
7. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 13:29 · Score: 0
  
  Even as somebody who worked there until fired because his homophobic coworker won't work with fags.
  The process is highly efficient, they've got the whole thing down to the point where in the next few years they probably could replace all the warehouse workers with robots. There is a very specific way of doing things, you take a specific number of boxes out of each bin and you handle them in a specific way. You put them in a specific part of the truck and there's very little thought from the employee.
  The only real thought is when it gets full and certain shelves need to be moved around, but with more robotics, that would become less of an issue as they'd have a better idea what size and how many boxes are coming in and as such less need to adjust.
  But, the company has serious issues, and I avoid using them when possible because I have serious issues about the way my firing was handled.
8. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 13:48 · Score: 0
  
  sign stating “please deliver packages to the back door”; all sorts of ridiculous locations.
  
  That is the source of all your problems. Remove it and your problems will disappear. Route drivers are tracked to the second, thus this article you are commenting on. They literally don't have the time for your special on-site instructions. Since they will be going against the recipient's wishes (you are not the customer, the shipper is always the customer), they take carte blanche to cut corners however they please.
9. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 19:13 · Score: 0
  
  I came here to say the same thing. I have never had UPS successfully deliver a package without some kind of problem, and they seem incapable of tracking the packages in their own network. Amazon are going to absolutely destroy them, and good riddance.
10. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 21:04 · Score: 0
  
  UPS's problem is that they destroy most of the packages that the delivery drivers don't steal.
11. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 22:35 · Score: 0
  
  Nice victim blaming, dipshit. Awful troll.
12. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by cascadingstylesheet · 2018-02-20 01:39 · Score: 1
  
  I haven’t had this problem with either UPS or FedEx.
  Amazon delivery, on the other hand... a couple weeks ago, I had to return a package that had been thrown into the grass inside a fenced yard (not for the first time). It was out there a couple days because the Amazon delivery driver had recorded “handed directly to a neighbor” - some of my neighbors have odd hours, so it takes a while to make contact with all of them. I finally happened to notice a small yellow corner of an envelope poking up amid a bunch of tall grass..
  I’ve had Amazon drivers stuff boxes into trees (“left in a secure location”, the delivery note said - thank God the imbecile actually took a delivery photo that time!); in the grass; sitting in the rain, right underneath a laminated 8”x11” sign stating “please deliver packages to the back door”; all sorts of ridiculous locations. I’ve complained every time, and been told each time that I can’t exclude Amazon delivery from my options.
  I’ve had Prime for years... but, after the latest debacle, I cancelled all my subscribe and save deliveries and am spending the next ten months (till renewal time) exploring alternatives to Amazon. There are certainly a number of companies trying to get into that space...
  Yeah, sadly if I had to have them delivered to my home I don't think I'd rely on Amazon nearly as much as I do. Too many debacles.
  I'm lucky that I can have the stuff delivered to my office. Many people don't have that luck, however. It would be nice if Amazon could get their act together.
  I hope you find a good alternative. Jet seemed promising, but I must say I've had more delivery debacles with them than with Amazon, even with my office as destination!
13. Re:Had a lot of bad UPS experiences by jbengt · 2018-02-20 04:23 · Score: 1
  
  I haven’t had this problem with either UPS or FedEx.
  It was a long time ago, but I once had a roll of drawings delivered by UPS with creases and tire tracks on them. Mostly used FedEx from then on.
Musk's Caves are Terrafoam by goombah99 · 2018-02-19 10:32 · Score: 1

Perhaps the high speed bypasses for the Elven elite that the Boring company is drilling will be repurposed as underground caves for housing the jobless after no has to drive to work anymore.

--
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
I'm not worried about robot overlords by rsilvergun · 2018-02-19 10:34 · Score: 1

it's the human ones that worry me. Especially when they don't need me anymore. They don't need me to buy their crap if they've got robots to do everything for them and they own everything anyway.

--
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robots by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 10:59 · Score: 1

Pickup package, scan sticker, place on designated belt. Why are they looking at people for this? A robot can do that tirelessly pretty much forever.
1. Re:robots by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 11:46 · Score: 0
  
  Cheaper to hire humans at minimum wage and have them train the robots.
2. Re:robots by Falos · 2018-02-19 14:14 · Score: 1
  
  Cheaper to keep a better margin than your competitor, make him swallow the costs of jumping in first, ride his slipstream.
  They'll change when the numbers say to. At the most optimal moment.
  It's what software would do.
RPS did this to UPS 30 years ago. by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 12:09 · Score: 0

RPS(started as Roadway Package System and now known as FexEx Ground) forced UPS to change way back in the 80s.
The guys behind it at Roadway looked and UPS and figured that there must be some serious profit if UPS could afford to wash their trucks EVERY DAY.
Old News.
ups dead, just don't know it yet by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 15:44 · Score: 0

As much as I fear world domination by Amazon, I predict ups and FedEx being forced into niche markets, the ones that Amazon let's them have.
1. Re:ups dead, just don't know it yet by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-19 18:05 · Score: 0
  
  Amazon may be good at some things, but delivery is not one of them. Now that Amazon is eschewing traditional shippers for their own in house system, at least a quarter of my packages are arriving late... sometimes by a week or so. It's ridiculous! Every time it happens, I get an extra free month of Prime if I complain. The upside is that it will probably pay for itself in the end, but often I need those packages on time!
Is it a good idea? by 140Mandak262Jamuna · 2018-02-20 00:57 · Score: 1

To train low skilled low wage people to listen voices on their head? Just asking....

--
sed -e 's/Chuck Norris/Rajnikant/g' joke > fact
1. Re: Is it a good idea? by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-20 10:16 · Score: 0
  
  You've got a VERY good point here.
I guess UPS is trying by kilodelta · 2018-02-20 02:03 · Score: 1

To lose the Shit Wrapped in Chiffon name they earned for themselves. Now I understand why drivers do tag and run.
Late? by Scarred+Intellect · 2018-02-20 02:24 · Score: 1

but last winter UPS outfitted about 2,500 of them with scanning devices and $8 Bluetooth headphones that issue one-word directions, such as "Green," "Red," or "Blue." The colors correspond to specific conveyor belts, which then transport the packages to other parts of the building for further processing.
I had this, sans Bluetooth, over 10 years ago working in Office Depot's Returns Consolidation Center in Kent, WA. Items would come off the pallet, I'd scan them, the wrist computer would indicate Yellow, Red, Green, or Blue, and down that line they'd go.
I didn't RTFA, but I do hope UPS is doing something more advanced, but TFS makes it sound like child's play.
Better handling of packages? by ebvwfbw · 2018-02-20 12:15 · Score: 1

How about training their help to stop being gorillas. It's crazy, a lot of handlers don't seem to care. I've even had a package with tire tracks across it. If it's the least bit fragile, I never send it UPS.
UPS Midnight Sort by Anonymous Coward · 2018-02-20 16:06 · Score: 0

Worked for UPS in the early 70s on the late shift as a package sorter while attending a Bell & Howell electronics school in Union, NJ. We had various drop chutes in front of us and moving color-coded bins behind us to drop the packages into. Every once and a while, a package from a pharmaceutical company would "accidentally" get smashed open where much hilarity ensued afterwards. Packages with 8-track tapes were also fair game.
Theft got so bad that a fleet of Lincoln Town Cars descended on the Secaucus NJ facility one night and we got the treatment from some pretty scary mafia types. Nobody will ever convince me that UPS isn't a legit operation run by the mob. I don't care much either since UPS does a great job most of the time. Just don't try and pilfer from them.