From 2013 to 2016, people imagined a world where they could order a product online and have it delivered to their doorstep in minutes by a flying drone. No traffic, no delays—just instant gratification. It sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, right? For years, tech giants and startups alike have promised us this futuristic vision of drone delivery.
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Despite the hype and billions of dollars invested, the reality has fallen far short of our expectations. So, what went wrong? Why hasn’t drone delivery revolutionized our lives as promised? Today, let’s dive deep into the complexities, challenges, and missteps that have kept this promising technology grounded.
The Concept Of Drone Delivery
The concept of consumer drones rose significantly when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) first issued a commercial drone permit in 2006. Before this, drones were only used for military purposes. This permit allowed people to use drones commercially. Seeing this opportunity, many commercial and consumer drone companies were formed. The two popular drone manufacturers, DJI and Parrot, were founded in the same year.
Between 2006 and 2010, the commercial drone industry was still in its early stages. Companies were developing prototypes and trying to make drones to revolutionize the industry. Many starter models were launched, and many of them failed.
In 2010 commercial and consumer drone industry got a hype when Parrot launched its AR.Drone, it is often credited as one of the first consumer drones that gained attention. Seeing the success of Parrot, DJI introduced Phantom in 2013. It was a game changer in the market for its affordability, ease of use, also equipped with a camera. These types of drones made aerial photos and videography accessible to hobbyists and professionals alike.
Many companies tried to use drones in various sectors. One of them was Matternet, which was formed in 2011, their primary focus was on creating a network of drones to deliver essential supplies, such as medical goods. Google’s parent company, Alphabet started Project Wing in 2012, wing was the first company to receive approval from the FAA to use drones for commercial operations and delivery. These efforts, particularly by Matternet and Project Wing, showed that interest in drone delivery was building within the tech industry.
The Peak Era of Drone Delivery
The Drone Delivery industry got a boom when Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced their new venture Amazon Prime Air in 2013. Bezos was primarily planning to use octocopter aerial drones to deliver packages up to five pounds to their customers. Because 86 percent of Amazon orders are under five pounds and Prime Air aims to deliver them within 30 minutes.
Well, Amazon was not the only player who wanted to use drones for delivering orders. Many popular logistic companies like DHL, FedEx, and UPS also wanted to solve their last-mile delivery problem. Because most of the cost delivering a good goes there. So, they started using drones to solve the problem.
DHL introduced the ParcelCopter Project in 2013. The ParcelCopter was used to deliver medicine and other goods to remote areas, such as islands and mountainous regions in Germany.
FedEx partnered with Google’s Wing project in 2019 to test the autonomous aerial delivery system. UPS launched UPS Flight Forward in 2019 as a subsidiary focused on drone delivery.
What Went Wrong?
Now at present what happened to Drone Delivery Industry? Where is the hype? What was wrong with all the companies? After a decade, why we are not seeing a drone delivering products to our doorstep? What happened to the promises made by the popular companies? In this section of the article, we will get all the answers.
Hype vs Reality
Once drone delivery was hyped as a game changer, companies like Amazon and Google promised to deliver packages to doorsteps within minutes. In 2013, Amazon Prime Air announced that they would complete deliveries in just 30 minutes, which created a huge excitement. Google’s Wing added to the buzz, suggesting drones were just about to take over deliveries.
However, the actuality has been far less than that. Amazon’s drone delivery service Prime Air has only begun in a couple of small trial locations, largely owing to legal constraints and technological challenges. Wing, a delivery subsidiary of Google, has likewise experienced setbacks and is only active in certain places.
The big promises made early on haven’t materialized as quickly as expected. Instead of the widespread drone deliveries we imagined, progress has been slow, showing that turning these ambitious ideas into reality is more challenging than anyone thought.
Aviation Restriction
The main cause of the delay in mainstreaming drone delivery is challenges in the aviation domain. High safety standards for drones are enforced through rules provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the U.S.
Regulatory Restrictions
Regulatory restrictions slowed Amazon’s drone delivery efforts until November 2022. They were unable to fly near airports due to the risk of interfering with planes taking off and landing. Drones were limited to sparsely populated areas and had to stay at least 100 feet away from buildings, which made urban deliveries nearly impossible.
Additionally, the FAA required drone pilots to have a private pilot’s license, typically needed for manned aircraft. These rules made it challenging for Amazon and other companies to expand their drone delivery services quickly.
Operational Challenges
Each drone flight required a team of up to six people, including ground station operators and observers. This made even simple drone deliveries challenging and expensive to manage. While the FAA’s Part 107 and Part 137 regulations aren’t specifically designed for delivery drones, they highlight the need for tailored rules in the industry, adding to the complexity of the regulatory environment.
BVLOS Restrictions
One of the most significant limitations is the restriction on operating drones Beyond the Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS). This rule is designed to ensure that a human operator can detect and avoid any potential collisions with other aircraft. While it enhances safety, it also hinders the scalability of drone delivery services, as operators cannot cover large areas or manage extensive delivery routes efficiently.
Drone Traffic Control
Just like airplanes, drones need a traffic management system to avoid collisions and ensure smooth operations. However, establishing an effective and scalable drone traffic control system is a complex task. The absence of such a system poses a significant risk to the safe and efficient operation of drone delivery networks.
Additional Challenges
There are also unexpected challenges, like the risk of drones being attacked by animals or stolen. Territorial birds, especially raptors like the wedge-tailed eagle, pose a threat. Since delivery drones are unguarded while transporting goods, they are also at risk of theft when travelling on roads. This highlights the need for new security solutions to prevent drone hijacking.
Technical Barriers
The utilization of delivery services has significantly increased, particularly with the advent of drones that can transport goods quickly. However, several technical constraints still persist, hindering the widespread adoption of this technology.
Limited Battery Life and Range
Another technical challenge is arguably one of the most crucial, and that is the low battery capacity of drones. The majority of the commercially available drones have a battery span of 20 to 30 minutes, which considerably limits their range. This is well illustrated by Amazon’s initial trials of drone delivery, where the drone has the ability to deliver packages only within limited proximity of the distribution centre. In 2020, The Verge noted that, even as battery technology improves, increasing the range remains a key problem for drone delivery at scale.
Weather and Environmental Factors
Weather conditions pose another critical barrier to drone delivery. Strong winds, rain, and extreme temperatures can all disrupt drone flights, making them unreliable in many regions. For instance, in 2019, Wing, an Alphabet subsidiary, faced challenges in Australia when high winds grounded their delivery drones, as reported by The Guardian. The company had to delay deliveries and find alternative solutions, highlighting the difficulty of operating in unpredictable weather.
Navigation and Collision Avoidance
Ensuring that drones can navigate safely in complex environments is another technical hurdle. Drones must be equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms to detect and avoid obstacles, including buildings, trees, and other aircraft. A 2020 article in Wired highlighted how UPS faced difficulties when drones encountered unexpected obstacles, leading to delays and aborted missions. The company had to invest in more sophisticated technology to improve its drones’ navigation capabilities.
Security and Theft Prevention
Security concerns also present significant technical barriers. Drones carrying valuable goods are vulnerable to theft, hijacking, and even attacks by animals. The Wall Street Journal reported on incidents where delivery drones were targeted by territorial birds, such as eagles, causing the drones to crash. Additionally, there are concerns about theft during the delivery process, as unguarded drones could be intercepted on the ground. Companies are now exploring ways to enhance drone security, such as incorporating anti-hijacking technologies and better encryption methods.
Noise Pollution and Public Perception
Noise pollution is another barrier that has garnered attention. The buzzing sound of drones can be disruptive, particularly in residential areas. A report from BBC News covered how residents in Canberra, Australia, voiced concerns over the noise generated by Wing’s delivery drones. The company had to modify its drone design to reduce noise levels, but public perception remains a significant hurdle to widespread adoption.
Conclusion
Drone delivery once promised a future of speedy, traffic-free service, but reality has proved more challenging. We have faced hurdles like strict aviation rules, short battery life, unpredictable weather, and security issues. These have slowed the progress significantly. However, the dream of quick, efficient drone deliveries is not lost. With ongoing advancements in technology and evolving regulations, there’s hope that these obstacles can be overcomed. While we’re not quite at the point of everyday drone deliveries, innovation is steadily advancing. The vision of swift, aerial package delivery is still alive, and the future remains promising.
Researched By: Rezwan Ahmed
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