How Drones Are Changing Delivery Services

How Drones Are Changing Delivery Services

Drones may have once seemed like a short-term fad, but it’s now clear that they’re here to stay in both personal and business contexts. In fact, the number of drones in the United States is expected to increase more than tenfold from 2016 to 2021, growing from roughly 42,000 to 420,000.

While there is substantial interest in drones as a hobby, much of the industry’s 26% growth rate stems from effective applications across a variety of industries. Delivery services are no different, as forward-thinking companies are already finding ways to implement drones into their daily processes.

Drones for Businesses

The drones of just a few years ago were often too costly to be practical for most companies, and their features were much more limited than those of contemporary models. As the technology involved has become more affordable and more features have been added to new types of drones, businesses have started to take a greater interest in their potential.

Some of the most important features available on many modern drones include GPS technology, 4K visuals, and Bluetooth compatibility. In addition to implementation in startups around the world, a number of major international companies have started drone testing, including Walmart, Amazon, and UPS. Partnering with an Android or iPhone app development agency early on can help you get ahead of the competition when it comes to launching a drone-compatible consumer app.

What Makes Drones Effective?

The idea of having purchases delivered via a drone may sound like science fiction, but the truth is that this could be a reality in the next few years. Drones offer a range of crucial improvements over current delivery practices, and companies are beginning to take notice of the obvious benefits.

Costs related to last-mile delivery make up more than half of all shipping costs, and drones offer a solution that could significantly reduce this figure. Using drones for delivery helps businesses cut down on costs related to fuel and labor while making delivery more reliable and convenient than ever for customers.

Obstacles to Growth

On the other hand, there are some unfortunate realities that businesses will have to consider as they attempt to integrate drones into their shipping practices. First, drone flight remains heavily regulated in many areas of the world, including in key testing locations such as China and the United States. This makes it difficult for companies to obtain approval.

Drones also face a skeptical public and will represent a massive change in more than just delivery. People are always concerned about change, especially at a time when privacy and security are so highly valued. Companies interested in drones will have to earn their audience’s trust over time.

It may be a few years before businesses are able to use drones to their fullest potential in the delivery process, but it may not be long before they become the new norm. While drones have a long way to go, it’s already clear that they have the potential to streamline the delivery process and substantially cut down on last-mile expenses.