Delivery drones are a real thing. In case you haven’t heard, just recently, UPS got permission from the FAA to deliver items via drone. The drone deliveries will start on a few college campuses and be mainly used at hospitals to carry things from one side of the complex to the other. Here are some things you should know about the deal.
- Drones are allowed to fly at night.
- They can fly out of sight of the operator.
- A drone is allowed to carry cargo that weighs more than 55 pounds (although this would have to be a pretty strong drone)
Amazon, Uber, and Lyft are all itching to get in on the action. So this leaves us with an important question, what is the future of delivery going to look like?
What Does the Future Look Like?
The CEO of UPS David Abney said that he sees the drones being used for residential deliveries. He mentioned that the sky is the limit with the new technology.
UPS might have an army of drones that conquers the world! More than likely, they will begin to increase their productivity by utilizing drones to carry smaller packages. Who knows what the future might hold, but we do know that somethings will not change.
Will Drones Replace Delivery Drivers
Not initially. I can’t imagine drones that can be mass-produced that can carry a 60+ pound object. I would also assume that the cost of these robots would be incredibly high. So until that technology comes to light, Amazon, FedEx, and UPS will still need thousands of delivery drivers. There are currently about 66,000 delivery drivers that work for UPS in the United States. That number could dip a bit in the coming years.
If you are an Uber or Lyft driver, I feel that there is even less reason to worry. Unless Tesla comes out with automated taxis. Then we could all be in trouble. But drones can’t carry large packages right now, and a human seems like an improbable task.
Could You Cash Into the Market?
This is a question that we have been working on at Rapidgo Driver. Theoretically, if you owned a drone that could accomplish deliveries, it could be more than possible to make money in the delivery market. I’m not sure if Amazon or UPS would hire individuals, but it would have to be similar to rideshare services. Uber employs people because of their working cars. UPS would hire a client because of their working drones.
That’s all speculation, but be on the lookout in the coming months for more information on delivery drones and how you can get involved. We will provide you with the latest news to keep you updated on the current situation involving drones.
Conclusion
In fifty years will we still need Uber or Amazon? Or will everything just be delivered straight to our door via drone?
Although we don’t know what’s going to happen, one thing is for sure, we have come along way from the days of a mailman who delivered everything on foot.
If you felt like this blog post was helpful, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on Uber and delivery driving. In this guide, we offer many helpful tips that you won’t find anywhere else. Click here to see it today!
If you felt like this blog post was helpful, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on Uber and delivery driving. In this guide, we offer many helpful tips that you won’t find anywhere else. Click here to see it today!
