31–40 of 47 posts
Seems pretty inefficient to fly things, because the energy needed to keep it floating in air. Although history tells us never to say never about technology, it seems like having small autonomous robots on wheels. They could travel on the sidewalks in cities, and also go the fastest way straight thru forest (for the many who live outside of cities).
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They won't. They're an absurd impracticality anywhere outside of Silicon Valley (suburban homes, no weather ever), and completely unnecessary even in those ideal conditions. People are excited because they're cool toys, not because it actually solves a problem.
Indeed. Even ignoring the total impracticality of them, you can also look at just energy issues. In order for drones to be cost effective, they need to stay in the air for minimum the full trip out and back from the home, but if you look at the location of most big warehouses (e.g. Amazon, Walmart) they're built outside of big cities for cost reasons, so now you have to fly twice as far to deliver packages onto the o…
90% of all Americans live within 15 miles of a Walmart. If they were able to launch drones from their store locations it might address this concern.
I'm ok with quiet, unmanned, self-driving delivery trucks that automate the package delivery process. I am not looking forward to delivery drones buzzing around overhead becoming a normal occurrence.
They won't. They're an absurd impracticality anywhere outside of Silicon Valley (suburban homes, no weather ever), and completely unnecessary even in those ideal conditions. People are excited because they're cool toys, not because it actually solves a problem.
"Anyone who fights, even with the most modern weapons, against an enemy who dominates the air, is like a primitive warrior who stands against modern forces, with the same limitations and the same chance of success." -- Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
They could also use cannons and shells with parachute for delivery in Silicon Valley area. Well, looks like I missed another startup opportunity...
I'm curious because every battery operated "drone" I've seen has a pretty limited range and flight time. Some of the higher-end multicopters built for videography can carry a decent camera for maybe a half hour but it seems like for deliveries, you'd be really limited in terms of weight carried and distance. The thing still has to get back to the warehouse even if it manages to land, drop the package, and fly back wi…
Earlier quoted context omitted.
They won't. They're an absurd impracticality anywhere outside of Silicon Valley (suburban homes, no weather ever), and completely unnecessary even in those ideal conditions. People are excited because they're cool toys, not because it actually solves a problem.
Indeed. Even ignoring the total impracticality of them, you can also look at just energy issues. In order for drones to be cost effective, they need to stay in the air for minimum the full trip out and back from the home, but if you look at the location of most big warehouses (e.g. Amazon, Walmart) they're built outside of big cities for cost reasons, so now you have to fly twice as far to deliver packages onto the o…
Big warehouses are dependent upon current transportation technology (trucks and big cargo ships). If drones become feasible, there's no reason we couldn't move to decentralized (retail-scale) warehousing serviced by drones.
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According to the article, walmart wants to test a drone delivering a package from a truck and then returning to the truck. If that is the case, then they could use an automated truck to deliver packages to the general area first. Then the drone would activate and deliver the package the last few feet to the door. Presumably, if they did something like this the drones would have their batteries charged while the truck…
In the various combinations, I wonder if there's a place for a mini-autonomous van, too small for a person, but can carry a few packages. The main truck stops regularly along a main road, and releases a few of these tiny vans. The last few feet to the door (tricky to navigate, usually require a "off-road" person) are by drone, as here.
How about the optimization: as the van is slowing down or looking for a parking spot the drone takes off. Van begins unparking as the drone gets near.
Or in cities, the drone could take the subway.
They could also use cannons and shells with parachute for delivery in Silicon Valley area. Well, looks like I missed another startup opportunity...
I'm ok with quiet, unmanned, self-driving delivery trucks that automate the package delivery process. I am not looking forward to delivery drones buzzing around overhead becoming a normal occurrence.
This assumes the drones would be sufficiently high enough that it wouldn't feel like a bunch of bees buzzing around overhead. Not true today, but eventually...
Granted, I wouldn't want the sky filled with them either even if they were perfectly quiet and efficient and safe. I feel like there could be a reasonable balance though.