Outdated Design Decreases TMS Performance
Is UPS actually that near to automating package shipping? In this new era of innovation, automated package shipping definitely isn't science fiction, in fact, it's essentially here now.
UPS, as well as FedEx, DHL and other big competitors in the package carrier market are surely staying in touch with the age of package shipping technology Darwinism. Recently, UPS took their step into the future launching an unmanned drone from one of their vans about a quarter-mile from a farm in Florida. The drone delivered a package at a home and returned back to the UPS delivery van which had already driven about 2000 feet. This experiment was, as expected, a success.
UPS utilized this parcel delivery by drone as a test to find out how efficiently parcel shipping costs and package delivery expenses can be reduced for tough delivery zones. By way of a drone, they can save gas and labor costs used by regular parcel delivery trucks. Package providers, package shippers, and the ecommerce shipping business could benefit from automated package delivery.
The drone launch means a bright future for United Parcel Service Inc., though UPS drones won't take the place of the uniformed delivery drivers and the main use of drones is to ease parcel shipping when necessary. UPS hasn't yet calculated how much potential there is for decreasing driver's mileage by using drones.
By testing drone deliveries UPS is exhibiting they're serious about changing small package shipping service in the future. There are restrictions preventing drone delivery from becoming the norm for parcel shipping, and that's once UPS makes significant changes to package shipping ltl freight logistics management. Present laws in the United States won't permit drone flights over civilians or areas that are out of view of the drone operator. While UPS small parcel drone deliveries aren't possible today given their 200 feet altitude, UPS parcels delivered by drones will not be a long way down the road. The Federal Aviation Administration's guidelines have been deferred because of safety considerations, but they were meant to be released by the end of this past year Regular operations with shipping drones aren't likely allowed until later this year.
UPS has enlisted the help of Workhorse Group, Inc., which designed their electric parcel shipping vans, to create a system of drones which would let them be launched from a UPS van for small package shipping. The drone will then go back to the truck after it delivers the package.
The UPS driver can use a street view map to determine precise locations for where to drop off the package, and the drone is capable of shipping packages up to close to 10 pounds. The drone will have to drop packages a little ways from the door, because package shipping drones will not be able to deliver underneath structures.
Currently UPS is performing additional small package shipping tests with drones.
About ClearView Audit
ClearView Audit, LLC provides transportation technology and auditing services for businesses of every size. ClearView is a leading transportation consulting and shipping technology firm concentrating on supply chain best practices and transportation expense reduction methods serving a broad array of clients in North America. ClearView's methods are supported with data and analytics to supply predictive, practical and sound decisions for better business strategies.
