Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Package Delivery Gain Traction! (Visual Presentation)

In the skies above us, a revolution is taking flight. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones, are increasingly being used for delivery purposes, transforming the way goods are transported and potentially saving lives.

One of the most notable examples of this is Zipline's drone deliveries in Rwanda. By reducing the time it takes to deliver urgent medical supplies, these drones have helped address the challenge of delivering supplies to remote locations, potentially saving lives. In its first year, Zipline oversaw 2,000 flights, totaling over 62,000 miles and delivering 4,000 units of blood. The company has also partnered with the vaccine non-profit Gavi to deliver blood samples and other urgent medical supplies to remote locations in Rwanda, and is looking to expand its services into more countries across East Africa.

The use of drones for delivery purposes is not limited to medical supplies. McKinsey estimates that autonomous vehicles including drones will deliver 80% of all items in the future. This potential shift could have significant implications for the delivery industry, as drones have no driver or truck costs and eliminate congestion costs.

Drones could also play a crucial role in optimizing last mile delivery, the movement of goods from a transportation hub to their final destination. By transporting packages from nearby warehouses or distribution centers to a specific address, drones could streamline this process, making deliveries faster and more efficient.

The speed of drones is another major selling point for customers. A study found that 79% of customers would be likely to request drone delivery if their package could be delivered within an hour. This speed could be particularly beneficial for the delivery of urgent items, such as medical supplies or perishable goods.

However, the growth of drone delivery is not without its challenges. Regulatory complexities vary from country to country. For example, in countries like Portugal, Spain, and Turkey, drone users may need to obtain prior permission from regional authorities, notify the interior ministry before flying, or apply 20 days in advance via diplomatic channels and be accompanied by a licensed local pilot during operation.

In the US, drone delivery has grown from a $40 million to a $1 billion industry in the five years between 2012 to 2017. Companies like UPS and Amazon are leading the charge, with UPS setting up a new subsidiary, UPS Flight Forward, in 2019 to manage its drone operations and seeking permission from the US government to operate a fleet of commercial drones across the country. Amazon announced plans for Amazon Prime Air in 2013, a drone delivery service aiming to deliver goods in 30 minutes or less. Although Amazon Prime Air successfully delivered its first parcel in Cambridge, England in December 2016, the service is still being tested in several locations.

Despite these regulatory and technical challenges, the public's acceptance of drone delivery is growing. 60% of consumers indicate that they are in favor of or at least indifferent to drone delivery. This acceptance is further demonstrated by the first pizza delivery by drone, made by Domino's in 2016 to a New Zealand couple. Since then, other companies like Uber Eats have followed suit, inspired by Domino's pioneering effort.

The potential benefits of drone delivery are numerous. Not only could they optimize last mile delivery, making deliveries faster and more efficient, but they could also help tackle climate change by reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A study published in Nature Communications revealed that the use of small drones instead of diesel-burning delivery trucks could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the average truck delivery of a package creating about 1kg of greenhouse gas emissions.

As drone technology continues to evolve and regulatory frameworks adapt, it is clear that drone delivery has the potential to revolutionize the delivery industry and make a positive impact on our world. Whether it's delivering life-saving medical supplies in remote locations or delivering your favourite pizza to your doorstep, drones are set to take flight in the world of logistics.