How Drones Could Change Delivery Practices

[image: https://pixabay.com/photos/mountain-sky-clouds-nature-drone-2574006/]

The worldwide shipment of goods has never been more efficient than it is today. However, with countless inefficiencies still present throughout the supply chain, many businesses encounter massive costs that they’re entirely unaware of. In an economy that’s becoming increasingly connected, it’s clear that there’s a need for faster and more effective solutions throughout the supply chain.

Unsurprisingly, costs related to last-mile delivery represent more than half of all shipping costs, making this the perfect place to start streamlining delivery practices. Drone technology, paired with the advancements in both Android and iOS mobile app development, is a promising option for forward-thinking businesses looking for ways to reduce shipping expenses without compromising reliability or customer service.

The Rise of Drones

Drones were once a relatively niche product mostly intended for hobbyists and other personal users, but the drone industry is starting to take off for a variety of reasons. As drones have become more equipped and the underlying technology has become more affordable, companies have begun to view them as a more serious option.

Businesses like Amazon, Google, Walmart, and UPS have already looked into ways to integrate drone technology into their shipping protocols, and other companies won’t be far behind in the race to supply chain efficiency. It might only be a few years before drones are the most common delivery method for everyday items like groceries and food.

What Makes Drones Efficient?
Drones have the potential to provide a number of benefits over traditional shipping methods, most obviously by reducing the costs associated with last-mile delivery. Aside from the savings that come from cutting down on labor, drones also use less fuel than delivery trucks and other vehicles, leading to substantially reduced costs over time.

Adopting drones in your business is also an eco-friendly decision that will demonstrate your commitment to the environment to more progressive customers. The small size and weight of drones mean that they use much less energy than larger delivery vehicles, which is especially important when close to 10% of the world’s population is on pace to be displaced due to rising sea levels by 2100.

Barriers to Growth
Although drones are an extremely promising technology and growing in popularity across the supply chain, they do face some obstacles as they attempt to enhance shipping practices worldwide.

One key issue for businesses interested in using drones, especially in countries like China and the United States, is the substantial regulation currently involved in receiving approval, even for testing. Regulations will likely become more intuitive over time, but these inefficiencies may cause American and Chinese drone implementation to lag behind the progress made in Europe.

Additionally, some consumers are skeptical of new technologies in general, especially at a time when user privacy and security is more important than ever. Drone companies will have to focus on public opinion as they attempt to normalize the technology.

Having packages delivered to your house by a small drone may sound like something out of science fiction, but this situation could be a reality in just a few years. Drones are more energy- and cost-efficient than current shipping methods, so it’s likely only a matter of time before they become an industry standard.

Guest post by  Alexa Marino

In This Story: #Drone #Drones

Sharing is caring. Share this story