As more and more customers become comfortable with home delivery options rather than in-store shopping, the technology for these delivery methods has upped its game yet again, with drone delivery methods currently trending.
Drone Package Delivery
Expect to see more drone package delivery from stores, restaurants and grocers in densely populated suburban neighborhoods, especially as a way to counteract the competition from Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery that is anticipated to make its U.S. debut within the next year or so. Drone package deliveries provide a costs-efficient solution to rising gas prices and are quicker and cheaper for retailers than relying on the third-party delivery process. The fun, efficient and environmentally friendly delivery method is still new enough that its wow factor is high, which should entice customers to utilize drone deliveries in the foreseeable future.
A popular chicken brand already debuted its own drone delivery system to a small number of its loyal rewards members in June in Southern California, and the process, from order to final delivery, took less than fifteen minutes. The chicken brand partnered with Flytrex, the Israeli-based company responsible for creating the autonomous delivery drones. Flytrex anticipates having multiple “drone stations” throughout the U.S. by late 2021/early 2022, and the company has already been successfully test-driving drone deliveries for both Starbucks and Walmart in the Fayetteville, N.C. area through its own app.
Drone Food Delivery
A national grocer also launched its own drone delivery to customers in June, for residents within a mile of the grocery store selected for the test drive. For now, the drones can carry up to 5 lbs. of items, and can deliver to any cell phone’s GPS address, within a one-mile parameter, in fifteen minutes or less. The drones are provided by Drone Express, a division of Telegrid Technologies. Drone Express’ future goal is to have its on-site “mini airport” trailers, that will house and service up to five drones for deliveries, in multiple parking lots for the grocer.
Expect to continue to see more tech-driven solutions to address the nation’s preference for faster last-mile delivery assistance.
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