Packages being delivered to people’s front doors by crewless aerial vehicles might sound like something from a science fiction film. However, drone delivery in eCommerce is a genuine thing now.
It is anticipated to grow substantially in the coming years. Drone delivery for eCommerce is mainly only available to big brands and urban regions, but it offers a quicker, more dependable way to transport items and orders to their destinations.
Naturally, as more and more online retailers want to investigate and use the technology in the future, certain obstacles must be disregarded. As eCommerce trends continue to evolve, drone delivery is expected to become more accessible and widespread.
What Are Drones?
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are other names for drones. Essentially, a drone is a flying robot that can be piloted remotely or autonomously by utilizing flight plans managed by software, built-in sensors, and a global positioning system (GPS).
There were many references to UAVs in military contexts. They were first used as platforms for more controversial weapons, anti-aircraft target practice, and data gathering. Drones are used in many civilian applications, including deliveries, agriculture, videography, search and rescue, firefighting, traffic monitoring, weather tracking, and photography.
Drone Delivery in eCommerce
The e-commerce industry can reach new heights with the help of drone deliveries. Using drone delivery in eCommerce can help companies meet their customers’ urgent needs while also saving time and money on the last mile. To increase sales and conversion rates, merchants are considering using drones to expedite deliveries and manage shipping more efficiently.
Drone technology advancements, a growing desire to reduce carbon emissions, and the need for faster deliveries are all driving growth in the market for delivery drones.
In modern logistical operations, they are replacing the more conventional delivery routes with an increasing amount. With a 40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2021 to 2028, the delivery drone market is, therefore, expected to reach a value of $1.29 billion by 2028.
Advantages of Drone Delivery in eCommerce
Enhances Customer Experience
Customers can expect extremely quick and hassle-free drone delivery. The distance travelled by air is always shorter than the distance travelled on land. Additionally, there are no traffic problems or airway restrictions. UAVs save time by taking a quicker and more direct route. The normal quick logistics shipment routes have no constraints; thus, flying at high speed is also possible.
Lower Expenses
Drone delivery in eCommerce is far less expensive to operate and maintain than traditional hand delivery despite the drones’ high initial cost. Future employment expenses will increase, but drones are practically free except for maintenance and charging—the final stage of delivery accounts for around 40% of the total delivery cost.
Simple access to isolated locations
The delivery of drones will maximize the advantages for remote or hard-to-reach areas. For essential goods like medication and life-saving equipment, it can be quite helpful. Drones will make it easier to navigate difficult terrains, such as hills, mountains, rainforests, or locations without road infrastructure.
Lowers Carbon Footprint
The current logistics system utilizes a lot of fuel to move items from the warehouse to the customers, which increases pollution, traffic, and needless hassle. Drone delivery may be the ideal solution for logistics companies looking to reduce their carbon impact. Drones don’t emit any greenhouse gases because they simply require electrical energy.
Obstacles in Drone Delivery
Safe deliveries
Although people have been delivering items for hundreds of years, mistakes occasionally happen. Unsafe landing zones are among the problems that drone deliveries are prone to.
Drones cannot open mailboxes, cover porches, let pets run loose in backyards, etc. Although some businesses have suggested using parachute delivery, this approach is unreliable and dependent on the weather.
A safe “smart locker” that requires a unique code to unlock after delivery has been proposed by well-known logistics business DHL.
Security
Even if the landing problem is fixed, there will still be a serious security risk. Since the drones will be operating independently, the computer system needs to be secure enough to thwart theft and avoid hacking. A compromised drone can endanger people, property, and aeroplanes.
Standards
The issue of airspace now comes up. The skies above cities are already crowded with commercial aircraft and helicopters; there may not be enough room for thousands or even hundreds of drones. To operate drones in the airspace, logistics companies must have a license.
High Initial Cost
Drone deliveries will prove to be highly profitable in the long term, but they will come with a hefty upfront cost. Drones, their software, and the people who operate them are now quite expensive. As a result, small enterprises may fall behind, enhancing market inequality in favor of larger corporations.
Restricted Range
Commercial drones operate on lithium polymer batteries, which are not strong enough to propel the drones over great distances and back. Thus, a considerable increase in battery life is needed for frequent or long-distance delivery.
Low Weight Handling
Manna can sustain only 4.4 pounds, while Amazon Prime Air drones can carry 5 pounds at this time. The only packages that drone delivery may distribute are smaller ones.
Key E-Commerce Sectors That Stand to Gain the Most from Drone Delivery
Online Retail Industry
Many online businesses may start providing one-day delivery if drones become more commonplace. Due to the route’s ability to avoid traffic and the drones’ straight flight, a significant amount of time can be saved. Moreover, every drone will have a single task rather than delivering several things before reaching your location.
Food Delivery via Drone
The advantages of drone delivery extend beyond the retail sector to include food delivery. The market for online meal delivery is expanding, but the workers are underpaid and stressed out. Food delivery was an online way for people to satisfy their desires when they were alone at home.
Medication and the Supplement Sector
HIV medication is being effectively delivered in African nations using long-range fixed-wing drones. In some nations, it was also successful in managing the COVID-19 virus. The supply of medicines is arguably the single industry with the most pressing needs. Therefore, the distribution of medications may greatly benefit from drone delivery.
Clothes & Fast Fashion
The last ten years have seen a sharp increase in the online apparel and garment market. 46% of all apparel sales in 2020 came from online fashion sales.
However, some consumers prefer not to base their purchase decisions solely on online measurements or images. Just looking at the photo won’t tell you if the jeans will fit you perfectly.
Quick drone delivery would enable you to test the item and possibly exchange it for a different size on the same day or even more than once. This innovation could significantly impact the future of online shopping, making it more convenient and efficient for consumers.
Final Words
Drone deliveries are a delivery method that may become commonplace soon, perhaps even within a few years. Every facet of e-commerce is changing, from shipping to UX and payments.
Drone delivery in eCommerce will play a big role in this transformation. It will be essential to prepare for the drone delivery industry if you want to create and maintain a competitive edge or counteract any potential advantages from other companies.
FAQs
- What does drone delivery mean for online retailers?
To deliver items directly to clients, drone delivery in eCommerce uses crewless aerial vehicles. This novel approach seeks to improve overall shipping process efficiency and accelerate delivery times.
2. What are the advantages of drone delivery for online buyers?
Drone delivery provides quicker delivery times—often within hours of the purchase being placed. It also eliminates the need for conventional delivery systems, which can be slower and less predictable, by offering a dependable and effective means to get things.
3. Is there a limit to using drone delivery?
The availability of drone delivery is currently limited to large brands and urban locations. Air traffic control and delivery route planning are two more logistical and regulatory issues that must be resolved.
4. What kinds of goods may drones deliver?
A variety of goods, including tiny electronics, apparel, books, and even food items, can be delivered by drones. Nevertheless, the kinds of goods that can be carried by drone are limited by weight and size.
5: How does drone delivery in e-commerce look going forward?
It appears that drone delivery in e-commerce has a bright future ahead of it. A significant increase is predicted in the upcoming years. Drone delivery is predicted to become more commonplace and accessible as regulations change and technology progresses, revolutionizing the way we get items.
