Airborne drones have been around for a few years now, but only recently are they being retrofitted for commercial use. These flying robots could be disruptive when it comes to owner-driver jobs, what with all the benefits they bring to the table from a business perspective.
This does not mean, however, that couriers are out of the picture just yet. The arrival of delivery drones will not eradicate owner-driver jobs any time soon, but couriers should definitely not sit back and let things unfold without keeping abreast of the situation. Here are some of the more important things to keep in mind.
Drones WILL Catch On
They fly above traffic and rough terrain; their mechanical parts don’t take unexpected sick leave or abruptly leave work for one reason or another; they can be replaced and upgraded without much pain. These are just three of the many reasons that drones will eventually establish themselves as vehicles for delivery. Those handling owner-driver jobs certainly cannot afford to dismiss drones as a passing fancy. Couriers caught unaware by the eventual arrival of drones could find themselves losing work if they do not think ahead and carve a niche for their business that drones cannot fit into.
Drones Can Only Handle Light Packages
The commercial drones of today can only carry about a kilogramme of goods, or 2.2 pounds if you live in America. Advancements in drone technology will eventually increase the weight limit, perhaps to about 5 kilos or more, but that is unlikely to happen within the next few decades. This is especially true for larger, bulkier loads that drones will have difficulty transporting through the air. Couriers can take advantage of this weakness by taking on more owner-driver jobs that entail handling heavier, bulkier loads.
Drones Need a Lot of Space
Drones are great when they fly through the open sky and drop off a parcel in a nice front porch. They do not fare so well when it comes to opening doors, squeezing through crowds of people and navigating very tight corridors, something you will often encounter in apartment blocks and highly urban settings. Humans, however, are more adaptable and can squeeze through many tight situations, and this makes them invaluable for delivery work in crowded cities.
Drones Don’t Make Friends
Never underestimate the benefits of trust when it comes to working relationships. Machines are great at getting the job done, but not so great when it comes to building bonds of trust between people. Making friends and building networks can help keep a courier well supplied with a steady stream of owner-driver jobs. If nothing else, then the simple facts of familiarity and reliability will help drive business your way.
To sum the whole concept up, drones have their strengths and weaknesses. It is important that couriers capitalize on what the drones cannot do instead of going toe-to-toe with what they’re good at. This means handling heavier packages, finding clients in more clustered environments and building long-lasting relationships with others.
Keep all this in mind and it will be much easier to stay in business even when delivery drones start buzzing around in the sky.