Drone delivery: the imminent future?

The dawn of drone-based logistics (drone delivery) closely echoes the development of commercial flight, which began about a century ago.

The main difference between then and now comes down to one thing: the scale factor. The small size of most commercial drones also translates into short distances, potentially filling future warehouses and city skylines with the constant hum of automated flying robots.

The advantages of this emerging technology are clear.
Drones could deliver hot meals and other purchased goods directly to consumers' homes, even during periods of strict social distancing; they could safely transport medical equipment where it is needed during an emergency or even fight fires in tall buildings; they could release water or chemicals over farmland, increasing crop yields with minimal effort; they could be programmed to take inventory for large companies, saving thousands of working hours per year.
The variety of possible applications, in practically every sector, is astounding and worth considering.

The projected growth curve of the drone logistics sector reflects this almost unlimited potential. Its market value for 2022 is estimated at 11.2 billion dollars, a figure expected to double over the next five years, reaching 29 billion dollars by 2027. Companies that adapt quickly to regulatory changes and seize new opportunities as soon as they arise will reap the greatest rewards as the commercial drone industry truly takes off.

The current situation in Europe

There is already great enthusiasm for drone technology among European entrepreneurs and existing companies. However, current regulations greatly restrict commercial drones operating under BVLOS rules. Nevertheless, in cases where authorization is granted, drones can be an excellent tool to support business operations.

Today, to operate BVLOS in Europe, and in particular in Italy, ENAC requires that:

• All drones must be registered.
• All drones weighing more than 25 kilograms must have received a permit from ENAC.
• Drone pilots must maintain a line of sight with their drones; otherwise, a specific operation authorization request must be submitted.
• Drones may not be flown near manned aircraft or airports.
• Drones must not be flown in restricted areas without authorization.
• Drones may not fly higher than 120 meters above the ground.

Although these rules reflect reasonable safety concerns, they may be changed in the future to facilitate greater commercial use. Just as with air travel a century ago, it may take time to find a lasting balance between technological progress and public safety.
Of course, public opinion will play an important role in determining the outcome of the relevant policy.

Public attitude toward drones

Current public opinion on drones is quite divided. In the minds of many people, the numerous potential benefits of drones are offset by the violation of privacy as well as the danger posed by objects hovering as high as 120 meters above the ground.

Public acceptance of the drone industry depends on silencing these fears while demonstrating the positive uses of the technology. These benefits include fast parcel delivery thanks to the ability of drones to avoid road congestion, as well as reduced traffic and air pollution.

The same technology also makes it possible to cut delivery costs, with savings passed on to the consumer, since drones require neither a driver nor fuel to operate. Even though most drones today are piloted manually and their batteries are currently expensive, industry experts believe that affordable, automated drones will become a standard option in the years to come.

Ultimately, the advantages of drone technology represent extraordinary potential for businesses in a variety of sectors, including the delivery sector.