You’ve probably seen those viral videos on TikTok or YouTube where an unmanned drone or a guy in a jetpack lands on someone’s balcony to deliver a package. It’s the kind of futuristic scene that makes you wonder if sci-fi is finally coming to life.
Unfortunately, most of these videos are either AI simulations or meticulously staged to look real—all for content. But they give us a taste of what future deliveries might look like someday.
Now, I’m not saying this technology is a mere pipe dream. In fact, it’s already a reality for several forward-thinking brands.
Just look at Zipline. This American company designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous delivery drones, and it has been a leader in drone logistics since 2014.
Zipline first made waves by delivering essential medical supplies—think blood, vaccines, and medications—to remote, hard-to-reach areas. In Rwanda alone, Zipline now delivers over 75% of the national blood supply outside Kigali.
But the company didn’t stop there. It expanded into retail and food delivery, partnering with industry giants like Walmart for health product deliveries and with Sweetgreen for fresh food drops.
Today, Zipline’s reach extends to the U.S., Rwanda, Ghana, Japan, Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, and Kenya. By April 2024, its drones had completed over one million deliveries, covering an impressive 70 million miles autonomously.
Zipline’s P1 platform handles long-range deliveries, reaching destinations within a 100-kilometer radius—even across challenging terrain. Their new P2 platform, optimized for ultra-precise, short-range deliveries, uses a tethered droid to gently lower packages to the ground, allowing for quiet and accurate drop-offs.
Others Are Jumping In
Zipline isn’t the only one driving this innovation.
Amazon’s Prime Air is on a mission to deliver packages within 30 minutes, already operational in parts of the U.S., with plans to expand to the UK and Italy. By the end of the decade, Amazon aims to deliver 500 million packages annually by drone.
Alphabet’s Wing, another major player, operates in Australia, Finland, Ireland, and the U.S., and was the first to receive U.S. regulatory approval as a drone airline.
Germany’s Wingcopter is also making headlines with its partnership to deploy 12,000 drones across Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing essential supplies to remote areas.
In the U.S., DroneUp has teamed up with Walmart, Chick-fil-A, and 7-Eleven to introduce drone deliveries in cities like Virginia Beach and Dallas.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Skyports has utilized drones to transport COVID-19 samples and deliver mail to remote communities, proving that drone technology goes far beyond simple package delivery.
Why bring all this up? Because not so long ago, drones were strictly military gadgets, reserved for serious surveillance work. But by the 2000s, advances made drones smaller, faster, and, well, way cooler.
Before long, hobbyists were zipping them around for fun and photography, and thanks to companies like DJI, drones became accessible to the average person.
Fast-forward to today, and giants like Amazon, Google, and Zipline are betting big on drones, bringing us closer to a world where the skies are buzzing with high-tech couriers.
In the not-so-distant future, we might even have air traffic control systems just for drones, ensuring they keep safe distances just like airplanes do. Imagine a time when drone delivery is as common as seeing a mail truck on your street.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not suggesting you should rush out and invest in a fleet of drones. For most sellers, that might not be practical—yet.
But if you’re serving local customers and have products that would benefit from rapid delivery, drone services could be worth considering as they become more accessible and affordable.
Soon, e-commerce platforms will likely offer drone delivery options, with independent providers to choose from as well. You can simply include these options in your own services.
Is your online business ready for drone delivery?
You don’t have to overhaul your operations overnight to adopt this technology, but a few smart steps now can set you up for future success when this option becomes more mainstream.
Start by considering your product range. Drones have weight and size limits—for instance, Zipline’s P2 platform can carry packages up to 8 pounds. Take a look at your inventory and identify which products are “drone-friendly.”
If you’re already selling compact, lightweight items—think beauty products, tech gadgets, or small accessories—you’re in good shape to offer a drone delivery option down the road.
However, if your inventory leans toward heavier or bulkier items, consider whether it’s worth adding some drone-friendly products. Adding a selection of smaller, lightweight items can open up a whole new market for faster delivery.
Packaging is another critical factor. Drone deliveries often involve the package being lowered gently to the ground or dropped from a low altitude, so sturdy, well-sealed packaging is essential. Think about how your current packaging might hold up if it were lowered from above. Flimsy or loosely packed boxes could get damaged mid-delivery.
Aim for durable, weather-resistant materials that can handle a bit of extra movement in transit. Compact, streamlined packaging also helps, as it makes it easier for drones to carry multiple packages in one trip.
Consider how your product lineup aligns with customer needs in terms of delivery speed. For example, perishable items, personal care products, and urgent health supplies (like vitamins or wellness products) are ideal candidates for drone delivery because customers often want these items right away.
Statistically, consumers are more likely to pay for fast delivery if they feel the item is a “need-now” purchase. Adding a few of these high-demand items to your inventory could make drone delivery even more attractive to your customers.
Next, take a look at your target market’s location. Drone delivery is ideal for dense, urban areas or relatively isolated regions where traditional delivery times are slower.
In the coming years, as regulations evolve, more urban and rural areas will open up to drones. If a significant portion of your customers fall into these categories, drone delivery could be a great selling point. Being one of the first in your market to offer rapid delivery could set you apart from competitors.
Stay informed about upcoming e-commerce integrations. Many platforms, including Shopify, Amazon, and others, will likely add drone delivery to their shipping options. When this becomes available, all you may need to do is enable it, similar to adding other shipping providers.
In fact, it’s anticipated that by the end of this decade, drone delivery could account for 20% of the “last-mile” delivery market. Being ready to activate this option when it becomes available on your platform will allow you to capitalize on this trend right from the start.
It’s also smart to keep up with changes in local drone regulations. In the U.S., for example, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has gradually eased restrictions on commercial drone flights.
As these regulations evolve, there may be new opportunities to use drone delivery across more areas. This is particularly important if you operate in densely populated areas or near airports, as each region may have unique restrictions.
Finally, think about how you’ll communicate this new shipping option to customers. Fast, drone-enabled shipping could be a big selling point for your business. Promote it as an exclusive or premium service for customers who want their products quickly.
You can even offer discounts on first-time drone deliveries to encourage customers to try it out. Clear messaging about delivery times, package handling, and costs will help customers understand the value of this service and build excitement around it.
Getting ready now means you’ll be able to start offering drone delivery as soon as it’s available, boosting customer satisfaction and keeping your business a step ahead as things change. You even have enough time to switch to a different niche or test out new products if necessary.