News Navigation
News Navigation
News Navigation
The idea that parcels will be delivered en masse by drones in the future persists. Images of autonomous aircraft flying over city centres feature in many visions of the future of logistics. In practice, however, the assessment is much more sober. At the trade fair, it becomes clear that technological possibilities and logistical reality often diverge. The example of parcel delivery in particular shows where drones make sense – and where they do not.
Anyone expecting a parcel today will, in most cases, still receive it from a human being. This is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. This is less due to a lack of technology than to the fundamental principles of logistics. Efficiency is achieved when shipments are bundled, routes are optimised and delivery processes are scaled. This is precisely where drones reach their systemic limits.
Despite intensive research and numerous pilot projects, humans remain the central element of the last mile. Parcel services such as DHL continue to rely on delivery drivers who bundle multiple shipments in a delivery vehicle and deliver them along a planned route. This form of consolidation is at the heart of economical parcel logistics. Drones cannot replace this principle. They always fly from one point to another. Each shipment requires its own flight, its own route and its own energy supply. What is technologically impressive is logistically inefficient – at least in densely populated regions with functioning infrastructure.
The situation is different where traditional logistics reaches its limits. In regions with poor or non-existent transport infrastructure, drones can play to their strengths. This is particularly true for remote areas, regions that are difficult to access, or countries where road connections are unreliable. DHL already uses drones in these areas to transport time-critical goods such as medicines or medical samples. The advantage lies in the direct connection between two points, without having to rely on roads, vehicles or long detours. In such scenarios, point-to-point delivery is not a disadvantage, but rather a decisive added value.
From a technical point of view, drones are well developed for delivery purposes. Navigation, flight stability, sensor technology and automation have made enormous progress in recent years. Many systems are reliable, precise and ready for use. The bigger hurdles lie in the regulatory environment. Airspace is strictly regulated, safety requirements are high and approval procedures are complex. In densely populated areas, additional issues arise, such as data protection, liability and the safety of people on the ground. These factors limit the use of delivery drones much more than the available technology.
Drones are not a solution for urban parcel logistics in the foreseeable future. Cities thrive on bundled delivery structures. Electric delivery vehicles that deliver multiple parcels in one trip are more efficient than a large number of individual flights. This principle is often referred to as a milk run: one route, many stops, optimised utilisation. Drones contradict this approach. They cannot bundle shipments or travel complex routes. Each delivery is unique. This leads to higher energy consumption, greater coordination efforts and lower efficiency. Ground-based transport will therefore remain the backbone of city logistics for decades to come.
A central topic of discussion is how to deal with new technologies. Drones are fascinating because they are visibly innovative. But logistics follows different rules than technological feasibility. Not everything that flies is also economically scalable. The challenge is to look closely at where new solutions bring real benefits. Drones are not a replacement for existing systems, but a supplement for clearly defined areas of application. Those who use them where they make sense gain speed and range. Those who want to use them everywhere lose efficiency.
In the coming years, little will change in the basic structure of parcel delivery. People, vehicles and consolidated routes will remain dominant. Drones will continue to be developed in parallel, but will be used in a targeted manner. They will fill gaps where traditional logistics do not work, rather than replacing them. This realistic assessment is crucial for the further development of the industry. It protects against exaggerated expectations and directs investment to where it will have the greatest impact. Drone logistics is therefore neither a pipe dream nor a universal solution, but a specialised tool in a complex system.
Trade fair reporting Germany - Trade fair knowledge, dates & events
