(Commonwealth Union)_ Supply networks all throughout the world are undergoing fundamental change as society adapts to the new post-pandemic environment. Supply chains must be more effective, frictionless, and cost- and time-efficient due to rising consumer demand and the company obligation to create a superior customer experience. Customers’ demands for on-demand and same-day delivery are pushing retailers and logistics operators to consider alternatives to the current vehicle-based logistics networks. The World Economic Forum (WEF) estimates that 85 million shipments and papers are delivered everyday around the world. In addition to handling this astounding volume of deliveries, studies show that last-mile delivery often takes the longest and accounts for 50% of all logistical expenses.
A rising number of logistics stakeholders are turning to drone technology to address the inefficiencies in last-mile logistics since it can cut vehicle emissions, clear traffic jams, and regulate operational costs while satiating consumer demand for on-demand and rapid delivery. Although their initial usage was for military purposes, drones are now revolutionizing supply chains and logistics through a variety of deployments in warehouses, positioning technology, inspections, and surveying.
Since the pandemic, there has been a surge in the popularity of internet shopping, which is still going strong. Customers of e-commerce companies are accustomed to receiving their items the same day, which has raised the demand for delivery drones globally. In other words, the natural response to the growing demand for speedier delivery services is delivery drones. The potential for immediate delivery to customers’ doorsteps is motivating e-commerce businesses and their logistics divisions to invest in the usage of delivery drones.
Additionally, modern drones are capable of transporting bulkier packages over larger distances in a matter of seconds. Companies in a variety of sectors, including logistics, healthcare, food, and e-commerce, are being prompted by this to investigate drone delivery technologies. International corporations including Boeing, Zipline, UPS, Amazon, Wing Aviation, and others provide stores and online shoppers with immediate delivery services using drones. Moreover, a number of businesses are collaborating with software firms to meet the growing demand for same-day drone delivery of packages weighing little more than 1.5 lbs.
