The quest to improve delivery times and cut costs has led to the development of new means of delivery such as drones, which can be used to convey items autonomously. Current events suggest that these machines with previously unimaginable powers will potentially give firms the capacity to improve delivery speed and affect lives in ways we never thought possible.

We will probably find out how drones will impact delivery in the next few years. For now, however, there are reasons to believe as their use for delivery is becoming increasingly attractive and widespread.

Amazon and UPS Leveraging Drones to Transform Global Delivery

To add value to clients and reduce the hurdles for the efficient delivery of customer orders, companies like Amazon and UPS are investing in drone deliveries. Amazon reportedly tested its drone-based delivery system, Amazon Prime Air, in several international locations in an attempt to safely get packages to clients in 30 minutes or less.

DroneDJ revealed that the leading online retailer might begin delivering purchases by drone starting this summer. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), confirmed that drone deliveries are indeed close, suggesting they are “a lot closer than many of the skeptics think. They are getting ready for full-blown operations. We are processing their applications.” Amazon’s Prime Air can carry up to 2kg.

Another company that is on the cutting edge of drone delivery is the American multinational package delivery and supply chain management firm, UPS. The organization was said to be testing drone deliveries using the top of its high-tech trucks as mini-helipad. The vans have been fitted with a sophisticated docking bay to help with the distribution.

However, unlike Amazon’s, it is not yet clear when the UPS’ drones would be put into more extensive use, a Reuters report claims. Nevertheless, UPS did confirm that its drone deliveries could benefit package cars drivers who have to travel to rural locations to make a single shipment. The drone being tested is “fully autonomous,” a UPS Pressroom released confirmed.

The Challenges

While drones are likely to bring many benefits to consumers and brands alike, they still have a lot of hurdles to cross before they finally begin to make deliveries. There are still concerns regarding the large-scale implementation of the UAVs into the national airspace and technical challenges such as air-traffic control.

Nevertheless, efforts are being made to address these issues. And regardless of how things pan out, it cannot be denied that drones are ultra-sophisticated technologies with huge potential. Their use in delivery, aiding search, and rescue missions, demonstrate just how much they could benefit humankind

Consumers seek convenience. Firms seek ways to cut costs. Drones give them reasons to hope. To consumers, drones offer considerable benefits in the form of cheaper and faster shipping. For retailers, they present an opportunity to cut cost and strengthen the growth of online retail sales.