Drone delivery will increase in 2023. Drones will be altering the way goods and services are delivered across a variety of industries. Drone technology improvements have made it possible for businesses to benefit from this new method of transportation to enhance operations and maximize productivity.
Are drones being used for deliveries? The answer is YES. Nearly ten years after Jeff Bezos initially proposed drone delivery, Amazon claims it is now prepared to begin literally dropping things into the sky. The most recent drone type can drop products from a height of 12 feet.
Key Takeaways:
- Amazon’s drone pilots were needed by the FAA to hold a private pilot license that allowed them to fly any type of aircraft, not only drones.
- Drones being used for deliveries in 2023
- Zipline reached a milestone of 500,000 drone deliveries
- By 2024, there will be over 110,000 retail drones, up from just under 35,000 in 2022.
The advantages of drone delivery
Comparing drone delivery to conventional delivery techniques, there are several advantages. First of all, drones can visit isolated areas that could be challenging or impossible to get by conventional means. Speed and accessibility are key factors in disaster relief efforts, thus this can be extremely helpful.
One company just hit a milestone of 500,000 drone delivery packages. That company is Zipline. The autonomous drones are launched from delivery locations and have a range of 50 miles. They fly like small planes rather than helicopters like their rivals. A little parachute helps a customer’s product slowly fall to the earth when it is dropped, and the drone returns to the delivery spot on its own.
Additionally, since drones can run continuously, delivery services can be used at all times. This is especially helpful for deliveries of emergency items like medical supplies. Which is what Zipline initially started out doing.
Some challenges drone delivery is facing in the industry
The problem of safety is one of the main obstacles. Drones must be constructed and used in such a way as to protect people, property, and the environment. This necessitates thorough regulation, testing, and the creation of safety procedures.
Just this week Amazon flew their drone to make deliveries. According to verge, Amazon’s drone pilots were needed by the FAA to hold a private pilot license that allowed them to fly any type of aircraft, not only drones.
Another significant issue is the expense of drone delivery. For some businesses, the price of owning and maintaining drones as well as creating the necessary infrastructure may be too high.
How much does drone delivery cost?
The projected direct operating cost of a drone that delivers a single delivery is $13.50. And this price is not comparable with electric vehicles making a single delivery, vans doing numerous deliveries in a single run, or any other kind of vehicle. Check out the report by McKinsey & Company.
Future of Drone Deliveries
Ecommerce spending will increase once these automated deliveries start to gain traction. With a strong drone infrastructure, instant requirements such as prescription and food deliveries would skyrocket. But that time hasn’t come yet. It will take some time before drone delivery services are a regular component of retailers’ last-mile capabilities, given the cost of operating drones and their short range.
Photo by Johnathan Kemper
Given the financial and environmental benefits, drone delivery may play a significant role in the delivery ecosystem. A future enabled by drones will be planned for by forward-thinking businesses today.