There’s been a lot of talk about the use of drones for deliveries recently, and it’s no surprise the retail giant Amazon is responsible for much of it. But the question is – will the idea really take-off?
Yes, the technology is here, but we can’t deny the concept of packages being delivered by an unmanned flying object might run into a few practical hurdles. Here’s a few (anticipated) Pros and Cons of using drones for deliveries.
Pros
- They will be greener!
Of course, using electronic drones to transport packages around our towns and cities will take vehicles off the road, which not only means less traffic, but less pollution too.
- Cheaper
Drones will remove the need for human delivery drivers, expensive vehicles and the ongoing cost of fuel. That means retailers and delivery services will save costs which can be passed on to customers.
- Quicker
A drone won’t get held up in traffic and they can take the most direct route possible – “as the crow flies”. That’s why Amazon think they’ll be able to achieve some deliveries within 30 minutes of placing and order.
Cons
- Bring on the regulatory nightmare
Whether we’ll be allowed to have commercial drones flying over our heads will be a matter for the powers that be. The possibility of drones dropping from the skies causing damage or injury is a serious risk to consider. Not to mention the interference with airspace around airports.
- Exposed to the elements
Yes, we’re pretty lucky with the weather in Australia but even here, we experience inclement weather conditions. Will high winds and torrential rain interfere with the reliability of drones as carriers?
- Where will it leave your valuable package?
Simply – the use of drones assumes everyone lives in a house with an accessible place to leave a package. How they deal with deliveries to apartments or homes with obstructed access is yet to be worked out.
- Human intervention
Sadly, there’ll be some people out there who can’t resist interfering. Whether it’s to steal goods or cause damage, we’re not entirely sure how safe and secure defenceless drones will be.
All things considered, the use of drones for deliveries could be more idealistic than it is realistic. While there are a few decent benefits, the concept makes a lot of assumptions such as perfect weather conditions, zero crime risks and that everyone has a safe and accessible place to land a drone. So, will it really work? Only time will tell.