Let’s Talk About IT: Drone Delivery Services – Is now the time?

Let’s Talk About IT: Drone Delivery Services – Is now the time?

‘2020, the year of the pandemic’, is that one headline that never halts reaching to the top, inflicting fear within every heart, all around the globe. Yet, if there was one thing that continued to boost regardless of the perplexing state of the situation, it was technology. With all humans confined within their safe spaces, everyone needed a well-established connection, which was without a doubt, provided with massive thanks to the manufacturers of smartphones. However, the question remains – Was that enough to satisfy all human needs? The answer to that, sadly, is an obvious no. Online life may adhere to all possible fantasies, yet, there still remains a need for delivery services, especially when one is compelled to stay within their homes. Given the intense risk of stepping outside to indulge in ‘shopping’ for the items needed, perhaps, has become a task too difficult. The result of which, came as a heavy blow to the sales companies, with a steady decline in their product demands. Nonetheless, as the saying goes – desperate times call for desperate measures. It may finally be time for the world to normalize drone deliveries.

How do Drones work?

Drones, made their way into the technology a couple of years back, sending us in awe, wondering about the depths digitalization could reach into. With its structure of a compact, small-scale aircraft, consisting of a lightweight body helping it to fly to amazing heights; it was successfully termed as a viral gadget pretty soon. From the general fan base of flying toys to professional companies, this proved as a handy tool for all. It comes with a remote control to help its user control the flight. Given this ease of use and an easy structure, it was picked up as a better alternate for security surveillance, giving the benefit of not just relying on a stationary camera, but using a camera on a drone, that can move around and provide a check on all corners. Another vital use of this extraordinary device came out to be an achievable source of deliveries, maybe in the days to come. Thus, with the approach of the pandemic along with its vast level devastations upon businesses, the idea seems like just the right solution to the problem at hand.

What role can drones play?

At current, considering the small body of the aircraft, there is not much to comment on whether its delivery service will be applicable over heavy goods, although there are sparks of IT companies planning to invent a stronger version to achieve the task. Until then, the majority of the delivery service companies, including big names like Amazon, Google, and FedEx have been indulged in discussions over switching to drone deliveries. Amazon, in fact, has already introduced its very own system of drone delivery services, going by the name of ‘Amazon Prime Air’, which is subjected to be a common source of sending goods across after it is done going through the mandatory testing phases. Following behind is Google, with its drones planning to carry an approximate distance of 125km/h, while also carrying the ability to hold lightweight objects e.g. cups and plates. The concern of whether this will be helpful stands valid on its own, but we can already assume the positive outcome. While there might be a few consequences, as there are to every piece of technology, but it’s suspected that the pros will outweigh. A few topmost advantages include:

Can we handle it?

Human nature continues to grow impatient with every passing day, with major regard to the ease of living that the IT world has, and keeps on providing us with. Be it internet services, or online shopping, there is constant desperation to be on the fast track at the receiving end. Keeping this in mind, it is understandable why e-commerce and logistics companies are in a rush to bring in the drone facilities. Not only will it help them in saving off chunks of the invested amount, but will also be a great factor in keeping them at the top of the list, as the first ones to adopt the idea. While this race continues, this will be yet another great milestone for the general crowd, making them satisfied with the rapid deliveries, despite it being placed at a short notice. Once again, living within an afraid, COVID driven world, this might prove to be a huge contribution for providing food to the underprivileged areas, providing timely supplies to hospitals all over, and providing relief medication as well as other necessities to patients/non-patients isolated at homes. We have been spending days listening to the news reporting incidents of COVID, thus creating a mass fear as it relates to encountering strangers (delivery drivers included). However, perhaps if drone delivery services were in use, locations that would otherwise be difficult to reach, could in fact be reached in a safe and timely fashion

So far, we have seen the implementation of such concepts in movies like the Hunger Games; yet, it is safe to assume that could be a reality sooner than we know. A world struck with travel restrictions, lockdowns, closed markets, and economic downturn, would be immensely grateful for a creative solution to these issues.