Delivery drones poised to tackle logistics shortages by 2028

Delivery drones are anticipated to have a significant impact on the United States logistics industry over the next few years, according to recent survey data from Tech.co.

The survey, which polled 264 professionals in the U.S. transport and shipping sector, found that 17% of logistics businesses believe delivery drones will be the most disruptive technology to affect their operations in the next two to three years. Currently, 7% of these businesses report that they are already utilising delivery drones in their services.

Regulatory landscape

Current regulations require drone operators to apply for waivers in order to fly unmanned aircraft systems beyond visual line of sight. The Trump administration has proposed changes that would remove this requirement, aiming to allow businesses to expand delivery drone operations without the existing regulatory hurdles.

The Federal Registrar's proposed rules aim to facilitate the wider adoption of drones for purposes such as package delivery by making approvals less restrictive. If implemented, these changes would mean companies no longer need to seek waivers from the Federal Aviation Administration for each mission beyond the operator's line of sight.

This regulatory relaxation could enable logistics companies to scale up their drone delivery programmes, potentially changing the operational landscape for supply chains across the country.

Addressing workforce shortages

Tech.co's survey highlights workforce shortages as the most significant challenge affecting the American logistics sector, with 24% of businesses citing it as their primary pain point. Industry leaders are considering various technological strategies - such as self-driving trucks and route optimisation software - to address these shortages.

Delivery drones are seen as another potential solution to alleviate the pressure caused by the ongoing lack of truck drivers, particularly for last-mile delivery, where staffing issues can be critical.

Current adoption and limitations

While regulatory changes are poised to increase the uptake of drone delivery, some companies are already using the technology in limited capacities. According to Tech.co's findings, organisations such as Amazon Prime Air, Google Wing, Walmart, DoorDash, and Zipline have active delivery drone programmes.

Despite this, most deployments remain restricted to specific states or areas. For example, Walmart currently operates drone deliveries only in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, while others are running trial programmes in selected regions.

Tech.co's Content Manager, Aaron Drapkin, commented on the survey findings and the opportunities and challenges ahead for drone delivery: "As workforce shortages continue to plague the transport and shipping sector, a significant number of logistics professionals see a solution in delivery drones - with a small percentage already using them. While AI-powered route optimisation and vehicle maintenance tools are helping businesses become more efficient, drones could transform last-mile delivery, which is notoriously complex and costly."

"However, drone delivery hasn't taken off en masse yet. Many projects have faced challenges navigating urban environments. In 2022, a Google Wing drone crashed into power lines in Australia, causing a fire and community backlash. Crashes are a real risk, and complex air traffic infrastructure for commercial drones doesn't exist yet."

"Social concerns remain - residents may be uneasy about camera-equipped drones flying close to homes. Regulatory hurdles have been another obstacle, but recent moves to ease restrictions on flying drones beyond visual line of sight could help. Truly transformative technology comes with challenges, and workforce shortages reaching critical levels prompt the industry to address them," said Drapkin.

Risks and challenges

Technical, safety, and social concerns remain significant obstacles to the widespread adoption of drone delivery. Accidents during urban test flights, such as a 2022 incident involving a Google Wing drone colliding with power lines in Australia, highlight the operational risks and community resistance that can arise from such technologies. Complexities in managing drone air traffic for multiple companies also pose a significant logistical challenge, given the current lack of supporting infrastructure.

Social acceptance and privacy issues associated with drones operating in residential areas also persist, with some communities expressing discomfort about camera-equipped aircraft approaching homes.

Future outlook

Despite these challenges, the appetite for drone delivery within the logistics industry appears to be on the rise, particularly as workforce shortages remain a critical issue. The proposed regulatory changes could support the scaling of drone programmes, but businesses must still negotiate practical and social barriers as the industry heads towards 2028.