Drones flying in air,
Delivering goods to all,
New innovation.
In this blog I will investigate the potential of delivery drones replacing conventional delivery methods. In recent years drone technology has exploded in popularity as more companies have started investing in the innovation. This is due to a variety of reasons: advancements in technology, E-commerce growth and a viable solution for last-mile delivery (the most complex/expensive part of the delivery).
There are numerous advantages that drones have compared to regular delivery options; it is more efficient both in terms of cost and speed since the drone can take a more direct route, it offers better accessibility; in terms of reaching locations that are difficult to access, it can improve safety and it is better for the environment – less emissions, more energy efficiency, reduced traffic congestion, etc. While there are lots of potential upsides to drone technology doing deliveries there are inherently new problems and challenges that must be recognized.
The first obstacle for delivery is that drones must be in alignment with aviation regulations – this includes complying with safety standards and privacy laws (violation of privacy is a big concern with having commercial drones). In the United States there is the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) they are a government entity that issues and enforces regulation over aircrafts in order to have efficient navigation and air traffic control. If drones delivery is being intended for a global scale – which I believe it is – then this presents challenges because each country may have different aviation regulations that drones have to comply with.
Another prominent issue surrounding drones is their current limitations; in terms of capacity, battery life and dealing with harsh weather. Most commercial drones have a limited payload capacity (maximum amount of weight that can safely be carried) so it may be challenging to transport very large or heavy items. Another concern has to do with their battery life; as of right now battery technology limits the flight time of drones – this affects both the range and number of deliveries a drone can make before it has to be recharged – which limits their overall efficiency. The final major concern is the weather; global warming and climate change will cause more unpredictability and extreme weather – harsh weather (such as heavy fog, rain or wind) can affect the drones operations which may result in time delays or cancellations for the consumer.
Another factor that must be considered is the potential implications it can have on the market and economy. The biggest immediate change would be a shift in employment; the adoption of delivery drones would lead people working in logistics – whether that’s the people doing the deliveries or other logistic personnel – to being largely displaced. There would be new jobs in the fields of tech and maintenance but these workforce changes would negatively affect a lot of people (example: trucking is considered to be one of the best jobs for people with little to no education (Kate, 2023) – the introduction of drones would eliminate this job almost entirely).
Another factor that must be considered is the implementation of drones in urban settings. In order to accommodate safe and efficient drone travel there may be changes in urban planning, infrastructure design, and airspace management – these changes may require serious investment and could take time before coming to fruition. In addition, there are concerns with drones adding to noise pollution; flight altitude, urban vs rural areas, and drone size/type (gas or electric) are all factors that contribute to a drones’ noise pollution.
This problem has prompted many companies to start creating noise reducing technology: forexample, Amazon and Wing Aviation (owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet) are using electric propulsion systems to reduce noise pollution in drones. This is essential because recreational drones are quite loud and the ones that Amazon and Wing Aviation plan to use for deliveries are bigger and louder because their rotors are spinning faster. Noise pollution negatively affects residents and wildlife as constant drone noise can be annoying and intrusive; this can cause higher levels of stress and sleep disturbances. In addition, having thousands of drones flying through the air increases the frequency of the noise pollution.
In conclusion, using drones to make deliveries has the potential to completely reshape thelogistics industry; its potential upsides can help improve efficiency and safety and in recent years many companies have started to show more legitimate interest and attention in its potential. However, this new innovation presents challenges and implications that must be carefully considered; I believe that more research and development is needed to make drones a reliable delivery option, and while many delivery drones are already undergoing extensive testing I don’t believe they are ready for a widespread scale.
Interpretation of Haiku:
This haiku is intended to highlight the potential of introducing delivery drones. The first line “Drones flying in the air” indicates the drones flying in the sky and indicates their aerial nature. The next line “Delivering goods to all” highlights the ultimate purpose of the drones (delivering things), it also indicates the extensive reach of the possible innovation. The final line “New innovation” is a reminder that this technology will cause innovation in the logistics and transportation industry.
References:
Staff, Aviation. “Federal Aviation Administration.” U.S. Department of Transportation, Safety
First, 2 May 2018,
http://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/safetyfirst/federal-aviation-administration#:~:text=The%20FAA%20issues%20and%20enforces,airports%20that%20serve%20air%20carriers.&text=The%20FAA%20conducts%20research%20on,navigation%20and%20air%20traffic%20control.
Lopaze, Kate. “These Are the Best Jobs for High School Dropouts.” TheJobNetwork,
Employment Trends, 9 Mar. 2023,
community.thejobnetwork.com/best-jobs-for-high-school-dropouts-122016/#:~:text=Heavy%20Truck%2 0Driver,and%20a%20clean%20driving%20record.
2022, Ben PilkingtonFeb 17. “Removing the Effects of Noise Pollution with Electric Propulsion
Systems.” AZoCleantech.Com, AZoNetwork Site, 17 Feb. 2022,
http://www.azocleantech.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1445.
