4 ms·

I wonder how can delivery with drones be more economically effective than with cars and drivers, with "distances of 10 miles or more"? Which, if I'm not mistake

by listic 11y ago

I wonder how can delivery with drones be more economically effective than with cars and drivers, with "distances of 10 miles or more"? Which, if I'm not mistaken, still somewhat exceeds capabilities of today's drones.

brianwawok 11y ago
People are expensive.
- ghaff 11y ago
  They're not that expensive and are very flexible dealing with the very analog common-sense-requiring situation that is dropping off a package.
  - giarc 11y ago
    They are much, much more expensive then drones. Minimum wage, benefits, delivery vehicle maintenance, insurance, etc etc etc.
    - ghaff 11y ago
      Yes, people are more expensive. In that they're paid wages. Others things you list are common to automated platforms. But people are also good in dealing with imprecise situations that are common with package delivery. I actually believe Amazon is seriously interested in pursuing this. I also believe it's largely stupid.
      - giarc 11y ago
        Do you know why medic-vac helicopters exist? Not necessarily because they move faster than an ambulance, but because they can travel as the crow flies. Even if a drone and a human delivery driver cost the same, a human could never come close to the delivery speed of a drone simply because they can fly over stop signs, stop lights, inefficient road design and get to the home the fastest. And for Amazon, that is the value, getting the package to the customer as quick as possible.
        ghaff 11y ago
        Yes and medic-vac helicopters also exist because they're responding to genuine emergencies which justifies both the expense and any externalities (e.g. noise and marginal danger) associated with their flying over houses etc. to save a few minutes. Sending flocks of flying vehicles over houses to deliver cables or pizzas because people need them RIGHT NOW is not the same. I do see scenarios where drones make sense but I have a lot of trouble envisioning people being fine with the skies of suburbia being filled with drones all the time.
        JoeAltmaier 11y ago
        They are not very loud; they have a smaller impact than a UPS truck or a pizza delivery guy racing against time. They will get lots of vehicles off the road. I see folks embracing drone delivery as a solution!
        brianwawok 11y ago
        Oh fill the sky with drones, no worries there. If they start crashing on my head during a picnic, I would be a little annoyed...

by listic 11y ago

brianwawok 11y ago

People are expensive.

ghaff 11y ago
They're not that expensive and are very flexible dealing with the very analog common-sense-requiring situation that is dropping off a package.
- giarc 11y ago
  They are much, much more expensive then drones. Minimum wage, benefits, delivery vehicle maintenance, insurance, etc etc etc.
  - ghaff 11y ago
    Yes, people are more expensive. In that they're paid wages. Others things you list are common to automated platforms. But people are also good in dealing with imprecise situations that are common with package delivery. I actually believe Amazon is seriously interested in pursuing this. I also believe it's largely stupid.
    - giarc 11y ago
      Do you know why medic-vac helicopters exist? Not necessarily because they move faster than an ambulance, but because they can travel as the crow flies. Even if a drone and a human delivery driver cost the same, a human could never come close to the delivery speed of a drone simply because they can fly over stop signs, stop lights, inefficient road design and get to the home the fastest. And for Amazon, that is the value, getting the package to the customer as quick as possible.
      - ghaff 11y ago
        Yes and medic-vac helicopters also exist because they're responding to genuine emergencies which justifies both the expense and any externalities (e.g. noise and marginal danger) associated with their flying over houses etc. to save a few minutes. Sending flocks of flying vehicles over houses to deliver cables or pizzas because people need them RIGHT NOW is not the same. I do see scenarios where drones make sense but I have a lot of trouble envisioning people being fine with the skies of suburbia being filled with drones all the time.
        JoeAltmaier 11y ago
        They are not very loud; they have a smaller impact than a UPS truck or a pizza delivery guy racing against time. They will get lots of vehicles off the road. I see folks embracing drone delivery as a solution!
        brianwawok 11y ago
        Oh fill the sky with drones, no worries there. If they start crashing on my head during a picnic, I would be a little annoyed...