Autonomous robots have been filling conversations about modernizing last-mile delivery, and most recently, drones have entered the space too. Wing is Alphabet.Inc’s drone delivery company, with a dedicated fleet to fulfill last-mile shipment for small packages in the United States, Finland, and Australia. Meanwhile, Amazon Prime customers in Lockeford, California, are due any day now to start receiving packages via drones.
Part of the problem is that companies risk jumping to “sexy” modes of transport like drones to impress customers and showcase their innovation. The reality, though, is that time, cost, and efficiency are a greater priority for both recipients and businesses. Here’s why drones still aren’t ready for takeoff in the last mile.
The drone delivery dilemma
Another issue is that drones don’t always have a safe area to land, meaning they have to descend in crowded places or navigate obstacles that lower the chances of a smooth descent, without damaging the goods being delivered. Some companies have suggested parachuting items but that process is heavily dependent on weather conditions. Amazon proposed building landing pads into communal spaces, but didn’t specify who would pay for those, and how they would be accessible in densely populated, urban areas.
Coming back down to earth with AI
Drones are expensive, and purchasing a fleet and maintaining an operating system for it takes a large chunk out of companies’ budget. Back on the ground, there is more affordable tech that is just as sophisticated as drone capability and optimizes last-mile delivery for cars and trucks. In fact, companies can integrate free AI-powered software like Detrack, Route4Me, and Shipday.
A potential nosedive in (financial) sustainability
Widespread drone use would require building infrastructure from scratch for launch pads, landing pads, and secure software that supports autonomous flying vehicles. There’s also been talk of needing smart mailboxes to accommodate drone delivery, where recipients are alerted via their phone when a drone is approaching, and they remotely open the mailbox to allow the drone to deposit the goods.
But drones at this scale demand a big change in customer behavior and trust. Delivery is a personal process – people want to know that their order is protected, that it goes to the correct place, and that a human is involved to swiftly rectify any mishaps. Rather than trying to completely reinvent delivery with drones – which is expensive and high risk – the last mile can be improved with existing trends and tools.
AI solutions for road logistics can be easily accessed via drivers’ phones; no new roads need to be laid and the tech can work with what is already there. The result is a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to better last-mile delivery. And, in the ongoing economic uncertainty, being more sustainable can equate to savings. AI optimized routing means using less gas and fewer hours on the road, cutting a large portion of companies’ expenses.
Innovation may be everywhere, but the last mile needs to stay grounded. By doubling down on ways to enhance existing infrastructure and processes, delivery can advance while still making smart decisions around finances. Businesses that get lost in the clouds with drones could experience a harsh bump back down to earth – especially with a recession looming on the horizon.
