Drone delivery is a promising development for the shipping industry. This type of drone can make a single, fast delivery and is free from the constraints of vehicle traffic. While a lot of people will be skeptical about the new technology, the advantages of this mode of shipping are clear. Unlike humans, drones can fly anywhere and can make deliveries in just a few minutes. The benefits of this new technology also extend to larger issues such as automation and reduced labor costs. Unlike human couriers, drones don’t need to be insured and are not subject to union contracts.
In fact, a recent study shows that drone delivery could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research shows that a single kilogram of carbon dioxide emissions is emitted during the transport of a package by truck. In contrast, a single drone delivery would save five to twenty percent of this emissions in California and two to three percent in Missouri. These savings are enormous. It is not clear whether drone delivery will be as beneficial in other regions, but this technology could help provide new opportunities for businesses in developing nations.
In addition to cost savings, drone delivery could have secondary effects on greenhouse gas emissions. Researchers from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, SRI International, and University of Colorado – Boulder, found that delivering a package by truck would result in about one kilogram of greenhouse gas emissions. The same package could be delivered using a drone in the same time and at half the emissions. That means that a single package can be delivered at the same time as a truck.
Although drone delivery is still a relatively new technology, it has already become a reality in a few places around the United States. Some of these operations serve the public, while others are internal operations. Interestingly, most of these are brick and mortar locations with lines of sight to customers. This makes them a viable option for small businesses. The United States Postal Service is currently using a drone to deliver packages in The Villages, Florida.
However, there are several obstacles to drone delivery in the US. The FAA requires a local authorization to operate in a particular region. Nevertheless, Amazon, Wing, and other companies have received FAA Part 135 certifications from the FAA and have begun using drones to deliver packages. The US government is still in the early stages of regulating the technology, but these companies are already paving the way for the market. A major hurdle for the industry is the FAA. A local airspace authorization is necessary to fly a drone in an area.
The current implementation of drone delivery is limited to certain regions of the United States. The technology is not yet widely adopted and has not yet become widespread, but the US government is already attempting to regulate it. As with all new technologies, regulation is crucial. A new form of regulation is needed in order to ensure that the technology is safe for the public. And if it is, it will be the same as the current rules. And this is why a company with a license is a good investment.