How Long-Range Cargo Drones Are Revolutionising The Logistics Industry

The logistics industry has undergone a rapid shift in recent years due to the rapid advancement of technology. One of the latest technological innovations to be integrated into the logistics industry is the use of long-range cargo drones. While drones were previously more designed for lightweight aerial imaging, such as drone aerial surveys or drone inspections, the technology and its potential applications are spreading to several other industries

Drones are set to revolutionise the logistics industry and are quickly gaining popularity among companies. In the article below we will provide more information on the potential uses of long-range cargo drones (specifically in the logistics industry) and their role in streamlining supply chain management.

The Use of Long-Range Cargo Drones in the Logistics Industry

The concept of drone delivery is simple. UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are used to transport packages over long distances (in lieu of more commonly used methods like delivery trucks or hand-to-hand delivery). The main attraction of this technology is its capacity to be managed and monitored remotely, which can go a long way in streamlining the delivery process. Some drones can carry heavy payloads and can fly for several hours at a time before needing to recharge, making them perfect for fast and efficient delivery or last-mile delivery in remote or hard-to-reach locations.

In the logistics industry, the use of drones consists of similar steps to other types of delivery – preparation, deployment, and tracking. These steps (outlined below) allow companies to streamline the delivery process and ensure packages reach their intended destination in a cost-effective and timely manner. 

• The first phase entails the planning of routes and ensuring the drones are equipped with the right tools (and the correct payloads). Schedules can be optimised and GPS technology can be implemented to programme the drones to follow strict routes.
• During the deployment phase, the drone is launched and flown to its destination, where it leaves the item (using an “easy release” system), and then returns to the point of origin. 
• The tracking and monitoring phase runs concurrently with the deployment phase and allows the company to follow the drone’s path and make alterations to the route if necessary (such as in the event of poor weather or other unexpected obstacles) to ensure successful deliveries.

The Potential Role of Cargo Drones in Streamlining Supply Chain Management

Long-range drones are showing a lot of potential to transform the logistics industry, but they are not yet meant to serve as complete replacements for traditional delivery methods. Instead, they serve as supplementary or auxiliary delivery methods that can augment the existing infrastructure. For example, delivery times can be reduced by implementing drones to deliver time-sensitive packages or urgent deliveries in remote locations. 

Drones can help streamline supply chain management by augmenting existing systems and filling specific niches in the supply chain that are either underserved or cumbersome to access via traditional means. This can allow logistics companies to optimise delivery schedules and reduce delivery times, while also providing a cost-effective solution for last-mile delivery (which can be expensive and time-consuming, depending on the items being delivered and the area being serviced).

The Future of Long-Range Cargo Drones in Logistics

As the logistics industry continues to evolve, long-range cargo drones will play a critical role in streamlining supply chain management processes, even though the technology is still in its infancy. In addition to offering a cost-effective and efficient last-mile delivery solution, these drones can assist logistics companies in optimising delivery schedules and reducing delivery times.

Contact us for more information on how you can integrate delivery drones into your supply chain, or if you are interested in one of our other services, like our construction progress monitoring services.