Drones

Drone mailboxes and extra: logistics on the final mile

How looser federal drone regulations could help the supply chain backlog

The following is a guest post by Dan O’Toole, Founder and CEO of DRONEDEK: Creator of a Drone Mailbox. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payments from guest posts.

The global backlog in the supply chain is an inconvenience for Christmas shoppers at best and, in the worst case, has resulted in layoffs and / or production disruptions as microchips or other items essential to factory production are held hostage for supply shortages.

The parcel delivery by drone will not bring the factory buildings back to their highest efficiency, but promises a long-term and sustainable improvement of the environment and consumer comfort. Right now, the last mile of the supply chain – the distance between distribution centers and consumers’ homes – is pathetically inefficient and polluting.

Everyone who lives in even a small town has seen it with their own eyes: Amazon, FedEx, USPS, DHL and UPS trucks repeatedly drive around city blocks while people get from A to B to D and back again A drive and re-deliver parcels to porches where they may or may not stay until the homeowners get them back. Delivery companies work hard to maximize trips and minimize fuel and other costs, but the miles add up anyway.

In the US, 100 million parcels are delivered to 160 million addresses every day. 4000 addresses are added every day. Ninety-one percent of these packages weigh five pounds or less. The holiday season and the pandemic-inspired lifestyle from home have increased consumer acceptance of package delivery.

With drone delivery – ideally to a secure, intelligent mailbox – these vans can park in a central location and send out drones to take care of the last centimeters of the supply chain and thus shorten travel times. They can then deliver supplies and move on to serve another neighborhood from the air.

DRONE DELIVERY IS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND HUMAN FRIENDLY

An Australian study showed that increased drone delivery could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 8,000 tons. and 35 million vehicle kilometers could be saved annually. Delivering drones to a DRONEDEK intelligent mailbox saves time, money and physical exertion by:

  • Reducing Costs – The average cost of last mile delivery of drones is $ 1 compared to $ 2 per truck.
  • Increased efficiency – drone delivery eliminates the need for trucks to repeatedly drive through residential areas.
  • Saving of physical exertion on the part of the delivery person.
  • Offer parcel security – parcels are blocked in the mailbox and only opened via the app.
  • Providing a charging station to allow the drones to fly; and
  • Strengthening the Long Range (LoRa) network with hotspots for the People’s Network of Helium and using lower bandwidth sensors instead of relying on cellular networks where possible.

DRONE DELIVERY INCREASES SECURITY

The holiday shopping season puts pressure on delivery companies and staff as drivers are constantly on the alert to deliver on time to keep their jobs and customers happy. Statistics show that almost 20% of workplace deaths are caused by delivery-related driving accidents, and there are more worrying statistics related to food distribution.

The widespread introduction of last mile delivery drones secured by individual smart mailboxes will significantly reduce the frequency of accidents. The 2018 alpha-beta study cited above showed that increased drone delivery in Australia could prevent 70 traffic accidents per year.

DRONE REGULATORS HAVE TO RELAX

Many other countries are ahead of the US in introducing drone delivery. Policymakers are talking about easing the rules for truck drivers, but they also have to deal with drone regulation. Industry experts are forecasting double-digit growth for the drone delivery industry over the next few years if regulations are relaxed. We support the relaxation of “line of sight” regulations as well as those that currently prevent drones from flying at night, and the ability to fly drones over crowds are also areas where real experience should drive regulation rather than regulation prevent these activities.

We believe that real-time usage will show regulators what is needed if pilots can easily improve their skills. Technology for deploying drones is moving too fast for the regulatory process to keep up. Just like with telecommunications, regulators should go out of their way and let this sector drift from the market.

PREPARE THE SKY AND WATCH

The delivery of drones is an emerging industry. For it to flourish, we need to clear the skies and let the drones fly. Policy makers simply cannot keep up with technology, which will only increase as the sector grows.

Currently in the US, drones are delivered to fields and farms, sometimes with a parachute to protect landings. We need widespread pilot projects to fly drones everywhere to see which restrictions are really necessary and which are only hindering progress.

The DRONEDEK smart mailbox is an example of innovation ahead of the industry and we develop it knowing that its features will be constantly updated as we learn more about what the drones need and what consumers want.

Right now we know that consumers want a smart mailbox that keeps food hot or cold; they want a safe and secure container that pirates on the porch can’t break; You want reliable, efficient delivery that doesn’t pollute the environment any further.

The best way to expand the supply of drones and make them available to consumers is to encourage – not hinder – those who are pioneers in the necessary technology.

Sources: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/migrated/aviation/technology/files/submission-25-3-files_1811_alphabeta-report_drones-in-the-act.pdf

https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/dangers-delivery-drivers-face-2697544/

The market demand for drone logistics is increasing due to its increasing usage in various sectors in remote locations and other commercial uses | AJOT.COM

Read more about drone delivery in residential areas with Walmart and Zipline, Walmart and DroneUp, Google Wing, BVLOS regulations and last mile delivery logistics.

Dan O’Toole, CEO / FOUNDER OF DRONEDEK BIO is a serial entrepreneur and corporate leader who was one of the first in the United States to secure patents for an intelligent mailbox designed to securely receive parcels delivered by drone. DRONEDEK holds a first position patent portfolio for the next generation of autonomous and drone delivery mailboxes. Two issued US utility models, two further utility models are currently being examined and two PCTs. A total of 111 patent claims already issued or pending.

Dan is a graduate of Ball State University and lives with his family in Carmel, Indiana. He is also CEO / Managing Broker at striker property Group.

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional marketplace for drone services, and a passionate observer of the emerging drone industry and regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has written over 3,000 articles on the commercial drone field and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam graduated from the University of Chicago and has over 20 years experience in high-tech sales and marketing for emerging technologies.
For advice or writing on the drone industry, email Miriam.

TWITTER: @spaldingbarker

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