Alan Amling: My Way Highway: the future of delivery in our new on-demand economy

Summary

The video discusses how advancements in technology are making once impossible ideas a reality, much like 'when pigs fly.' The speaker draws parallels between the past and present, highlighting innovations like video chats and smart home controls that seemed impossible in the 1980s. They explore the future of manufacturing and transportation, focusing on concepts like on-demand manufacturing, 3D printing, and high-speed delivery systems such as the Hyperloop. These innovations aim to meet rising consumer expectations for customization and rapid delivery while reducing environmental impact. The message encourages embracing change and innovation as the rules of the past evolve.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The saying 'when pigs fly' is used to dismiss ideas that seem impossible, but the speaker argues that with technological advancements, the impossible is becoming possible.
• 📱 The 1980s saw innovations like video chats and smart home controls that were once considered futuristic, highlighting how quickly technology can transform the impossible into reality.
• 🌐 The internet has empowered consumers with information, shifting purchasing power from sellers to buyers and changing consumer expectations.
• 🏭 Industry 4.0 and advancements like 3D printing are revolutionizing manufacturing, allowing for on-demand production of customized goods.
• 🌐 The 'My Way Highway' is a term used to describe the next phase of the information superhighway, focusing on fulfilling consumer expectations for personalized products.
• 🔄 On-demand manufacturing reduces inventory and transportation costs by producing goods closer to where they are needed, aligning with consumer demands for personalized products.
• 🌐 High-speed transportation concepts like the Hyperloop could drastically reduce the time and cost of moving goods, further enabling on-demand consumer expectations.
• 🌍 The combination of on-demand manufacturing and high-speed transportation could lead to significant reductions in inventory, benefiting businesses, consumers, and the environment.
• 🚀 The speaker predicts that as consumer expectations continue to rise, traditional manufacturing and transportation practices will have to adapt, making the once impossible, possible.
• 🌟 The talk concludes with a call to action, urging businesses to embrace these changes and not be left behind as the world moves towards a more personalized and efficient future.

Q & A

What is the phrase 'when pigs fly' used to express?

The phrase 'when pigs fly' is used to express skepticism towards something that is considered highly unlikely or impossible to happen.

What does the speaker suggest happened in the 1980s that was once considered impossible?

The speaker suggests that in the 1980s, things like video chatting from a cell phone or controlling house lights remotely while on vacation were considered impossible, but are now commonplace.

How has the internet changed consumer expectations according to the speaker?

The speaker states that the internet has empowered consumers with information, increasing their expectations to have what they want when they want it at the lowest possible cost.

What is the 'my way highway' and how does it differ from the 'information superhighway'?

The 'my way highway' is the next phase of the 'information superhighway,' focusing on fulfilling consumer expectations rather than just empowering them with information.

What is Industry 4.0 and how does it relate to the 'my way highway'?

Industry 4.0 refers to the factory of the future, which includes next-generation robots that allow for shorter production runs of more customized goods, aligning with the 'my way highway' concept of personalized on-demand manufacturing.

How does 3D printing contribute to the 'my way highway'?

3D printing allows for the manufacturing of goods in units of one versus thousands, which supports the 'my way highway' by enabling personalized and on-demand production.

What is the 'on-demand manufacturing cloud' and how does it work?

The 'on-demand manufacturing cloud' is a network of intelligently connected 3D printers around the world that can produce custom goods on-demand, reducing inventory and transportation costs.

What are some high-speed transportation concepts mentioned in the script?

The script mentions the Navy's railgun project and Elon Musk's Hyperloop as examples of high-speed transportation concepts.

How could high-speed transportation impact inventory management in retail?

High-speed transportation could reduce the need for duplicate inventories in different locations by enabling rapid delivery of goods, thus impacting inventory management positively.

What is the significance of the spongebob pillow pet example in the script?

The spongebob pillow pet example illustrates the potential of the 'my way highway' to fulfill on-demand consumer needs quickly and efficiently, delivering personalized products within hours.

What is the speaker's advice to businesses in light of these changes?

The speaker advises businesses to adapt to the changing rules and consumer expectations, implying that those who don't may be left behind as others embrace the 'my way highway' and its possibilities.