Logistics sector sees drone as hot, but safety concerns need

DRONE deployment is being touted in the air cargo industry as a new logistics solution for small-package delivery to end users even in the most hard-to-reach locations, but safety is a major concern.

According to the head of global business development, Oliver Evans, a Silicon Valley-based manufacturer of drones, Matternet, his company has been testing drones for the delivery of life-saving drugs to remote field clinics in Malawi, in southeastern Africa.

Mr Evans, who was formerly the chief cargo officer at SwissWorld, told delegates attending the World Cargo Symposium in Berlin that the drones were able to carry a small payload a kilometre away in 15 minutes, reported Air Cargo World.

He said that by using drones to ferry blood samples and medicine to remote areas with poor roads, people can receive treatment and diagnoses more quickly, which is especially helpful considering how many HIV-infected people may be moving from village to village.

Following secure routes generated by the developer's cloud-based software, the vehicles are programmed to land only on pre-registered landing pads to prevent the drone from getting lost. The system is already in use in several countries, including Switzerland, where the company has earned approval to operate on certain pre-set routes.

Mr Evans said that there are 20 million drones in operation worldwide. In Europe, 22 countries have regulations and 7,000 companies are using drones for agricultural use, construction or inspections.

Symposium speaker chairman Chris Proudlove of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Insurance Association said "sense and avoid" technology makes it less likely that a drone will hit another object or a human being.

Theft and physical damage to parties on the ground are also among the risks posed by drone usage, Mr Proudlove said, but the insurance companies are looking at ways for operators to minimise risk.