Drone technology has been rapidly evolving in recent years, impacting various sectors and offering innovative solutions to age-old challenges. One such application of drone technology is in the world of delivery services; in this article, we shall explore the potential of drone delivery in the UK. As e-commerce continues to grow, there’s an increasing need for faster, more efficient delivery systems. This article delves into the current landscape of drone delivery in the UK, the key players in the market, and the challenges and opportunities surrounding this emerging industry.
Drone delivery offers several key benefits that could revolutionise the logistics and delivery sector. These include reduced delivery times, increased efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and improved accessibility to remote and rural areas. Furthermore, drone delivery has the potential to revolutionise emergency services and healthcare by providing swift transport of medical supplies and equipment.
How Does Drone Delivery Work?
Drone delivery is a method of transporting goods using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. These drones are typically controlled remotely by pilots or, in some cases, use autonomous navigation systems. The process of drone delivery generally involves the following steps:
Order placement: A customer places an order through an online platform or a mobile app provided by the retailer or delivery service.
Order preparation: The ordered items are picked, packed, and prepared for delivery at a warehouse or distribution centre.
Loading: The package is securely attached to the drone, either manually or through an automated system. The package is typically placed in a specialised cargo compartment or fastened to the drone using a harness or a cargo hook.
Flight planning: Before the drone takes off, a predetermined flight path is planned, taking into account factors such as airspace restrictions, obstacles, weather conditions, and the most efficient route to the destination.
Take-off and flight: The drone takes off, either autonomously or with remote pilot assistance, and follows the planned flight path. During the flight, the drone uses GPS and other sensors to maintain its position and altitude, avoid obstacles, and communicate with the ground control centre or remote pilot.
Delivery: Upon reaching the destination, the drone lands or hovers at a safe altitude and releases the package. The delivery can be made to a designated landing pad, a secure delivery box, or directly to the customer’s hands. In some cases, the drone may use a tether or winch system to lower the package gently to the ground without landing.
Return to the base: After successful delivery, the drone returns to its base or distribution centre, following a planned flight path. Upon arrival, the drone is prepared for its next delivery mission, which may involve recharging its batteries, undergoing maintenance, or being loaded with a new package.
Throughout the entire process, safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance are prioritised to ensure successful deliveries and minimise any potential risks. As drone technology advances and regulations adapt to accommodate new developments, drone delivery is expected to become an increasingly common method of transporting goods in various industries.
Drone Delivery in the UK
Compared to the US and China, where drone delivery services are far more advanced (especially in China) the drone delivery service in the UK is still in its infancy stages, with regulations and safety concerns being the primary barriers. However, the UK government has been actively promoting drone delivery services, and companies like Amazon, UPS and DHL have been conducting trials in select areas.
These companies hope to leverage drone technology to expedite deliveries, reduce costs, and improve overall efficiency.
There are currently several companies that have carried out drone delivery in the UK, including Amazon, DHL, and UPS.
The Collapse Of Amazon Drone Delivery In The UK
Amazon, for example, tested its Prime Air delivery service in select areas of the UK in 2016. The service used small drones to fly packages directly to customers’ homes in as little as 30 minutes.
While these trials were successful, Amazon has yet to roll out a delivery service in the UK for the wider public. In fact, out of all the drone delivery services that are popping up, Amazon is probably the biggest disappointment.
According to an article by Wired, Amazon Prime Air is facing significant challenges in the UK, resulting in the loss of over 100 jobs and the relocation of dozens of other roles to projects abroad. The entire UK data analysis team has been made redundant as the company shutters part of its operation. Insiders describe the project as “collapsing inwards,” “dysfunctional,” and resembling “organised chaos,” plagued by management that appeared to be “detached from reality.”
The once-prominent PR campaign for Amazon Prime Air has seemingly disappeared, and the company now lags behind Alphabet-owned Wing and FEDEX in the race for US regulatory approval. Sources also point to issues such as managers who had limited knowledge about the project, insufficient technical support, and inconsistent guidelines.
While Amazon has secured regulatory clearance in the US to conduct new test flights, the company has yet to successfully produce a fully operational fleet of delivery drones in the UK, despite having had the ability to conduct test flights since 2016. This has led some insiders to question whether Amazon will ever be able to fully realise its drone delivery ambitions.
Skyports Drone Delivery
Skyports, a drone logistics company based in London, recently announced the launch of a delivery service in the Scottish Islands in partnership with Royal Mail and Loganair, a Scottish airline. The project, called the Orkney I-Port, is the first UK drone delivery project that can be conducted permanently under existing regulatory frameworks.
Boots Delivers Prescription Medicine With A Drone
In late July 2022, Boots became the first community pharmacy in the UK to use drones for transporting prescription-only medicines, partnering with medical drone start-up Apian for a test flight. The drone took off from Portsmouth and successfully landed at St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight. From there, the medicines were collected by Boots and distributed to its pharmacies across the island.
The trial aims to assess the future potential of drones in medicine delivery, specifically focusing on the time savings and economic efficiencies that can be achieved by incorporating drones into the medicines supply chain. Conducted on the Isle of Wight, a remote location, the trial also seeks to evaluate the value of using drones for delivering medicines to hard-to-reach areas.
BT & The UK Government To Build Drone Superhighway
The UK government announced plans to construct a 164-mile automated drone superhighway called Skyway, connecting Cambridge, Oxford, Rugby, Milton Keynes, and Coventry. Developed by a consortium led by Altitude Angel, BT, and tech startups, the £12m project will employ ground-based sensor and networked DAA solutions linked to Altitude Angel’s global UTM system to manage drone traffic and prevent collisions.
This initiative is part of a larger £273m funding package for the aerospace sector, with the government projecting that drones will contribute £45bn to the UK economy, create 650,000 jobs, and reduce carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons by 2030. Despite long-standing security concerns, the Skyway project aims to safely expand drone opportunities in surveillance and delivery.
Overall, the state of drone delivery in the UK is still in its early stages, but there is potential for significant growth in the coming years. As the technology continues to develop and regulations become more favourable, we can expect to see more companies offering drone delivery services in the UK.
Regulatory Landscape and Challenges
As with any new technology, drone delivery in the UK faces regulatory challenges. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) oversees the rules and regulations governing drone usage. These regulations address air traffic control, airspace considerations, privacy and security concerns, and environmental impact, including noise pollution. Companies looking to deploy drone delivery services must work closely with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and public safety.
Public Perception and Acceptance Of Drone Delivery in The UK
Public perception and acceptance are crucial to the success of drone delivery in the UK. Surveys and studies have been conducted to gauge public opinion and address concerns related to safety, privacy, and noise pollution.
Companies operating in this space are taking steps to build trust and ensure safety by working closely with regulators and engaging in public awareness campaigns.
A survey conducted by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers revealed that three-quarters of UK adults support the use of drones for emergency services response. However, only 23% of UK adults are in favour of using drones for online order deliveries. Younger people tend to be more supportive of drone use, with 45% feeling comfortable about receiving a delivery by drone.
In contrast, less than 20% of people over 65 express comfort with recreational or delivery drone use. A significant majority (73%) of UK adults believe that communities should be consulted regarding drone deliveries in their area, and over 80% argue that the government should implement regulations for drone deliveries.
Future Prospects
Although the progress is slower than in other countries, the future looks promising for drone delivery in the UK. As the technology continues to advance and regulations evolve, it is expected that drone delivery services will expand across the country. Potential collaboration with other industries, such as retail and logistics, will further drive growth. Additionally, drone technology will play a crucial role in the development of smart cities, where efficient and sustainable solutions are highly valued.
Final Thoughts
The current state of drone delivery in the UK is slow progress, especially when compared to China and the USA, but the potential of this technology to revolutionise the delivery and logistics sector is huge. As key players continue to innovate and navigate regulatory challenges, the impact of drone delivery on the economy and society is poised to be significant. The road ahead for drone delivery and related technologies is undoubtedly exciting, and the UK stands to benefit greatly from this emerging technology.
