Drones Delivering Your Goods: It is a Reality!
Will Drones be used for normal deliveries at residential and commercial addresses?
In a recent story in The Wall Street Journal, among other places, Amazon has announced that it will be delivering many of our web ordered goods via drones!
Many consumers, among others, are scratching their heads with wonder as to this announcement.
Many questions arise?
What kind of drones?
What security exists for deliveries?
Who controls the drones?
What liability exists for such deliveries, if something goes wrong, such as dropping the delivery on a person or other property?
Will drone delivery add to porch pirate issues?
Must the consumer be at home for the delivery?
How long will it take Amazon et al to delivery from the time the order is made?
Yes. You can add many more questions!
Amazon announced that it will be using drone delivery in close to 500, yes 500, cities within 2026. Really?!
Amazon is not alone. Other major retailers are also now delivering or in the process of structuring deliveries by drones. Walmart and DoorDash have also stated that they are moving on drone delivery.
Many individuals and companies have yet to understand and address the many issues of drone delivery.
How will the government regulate these deliveries?
Maybe such deliveries will relieve some traffic congestion. (Is this ground congestion?) But what congestion will exist above ground when these deliveries increase?
Who has the Right of Way?
(Consider that drones are now being used to address emergency medical situations, among others.)
By
Dr. Mark Lee Levine, Professor, University of Denver
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