- Introduction
The goal of this project is to provide an evaluation of the business cases for light cargo drone technology in the transport sector. The evaluation discusses the feasibility by identifying potential business cases and the factors that are critical for the use of light cargo drones. The specific cargo drone model and the potential realization is conceptualized.
Data for this evaluation comes from Drones (ISSN 2504-446X) which is a peer reviewed, open access journal which focuses on design and application of drones, including remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (Gonzalez-Aguilera 2019). The source was chosen because it has open access, high visibility, rapid publication, and special recognition of reviewers. The main goal of this journal is to be the central data area for researchers who engage in the research and applications of drone technology. The data for evaluation include payload, range, maximum take-off weight, flight time, and cruise speed.
- Critical Evaluation and Justification of the Requirements for Data Generation
2.1 Expectations and perspectives
Most of the expertise views, about 70%, agree that light cargo drones may not be able to compete with the common strategies of delivery. However, when compared to motorbikes, majority of the experts agree that light cargo drones are more effective. Though there are variance in the views of experts, the key criteria appear to be weight capacity and cost, including the passenger transport capability.
There is a common agreement that context-dependent use of UAVs can occur in epidemics or after natural disasters, but this excludes conflict settings. In areas where a drone is being used for wars by the soldierly, the people will see any flying objects as intimidating which will put the drone staff at risk.
Although one of the major concern is cost, expertise views show that in a situation without any other option, even a cargo drone transport that is more expensive should be put into consideration. Thus, if cargo drone reduces the risks to staffs in timid environments or have a life-saving effect for a patient, the cost is given secondary consideration.
2.2 Main transport challenges
Experts concerned with logistics agree that the main challenge in the normal transportation is accessibility. Remotely located areas can be completely inaccessible or hard to reach. Ground transport can be affected by bad road conditions, rainy season, and refusal of access by government or local availability of vehicles. Air transport can be affected by restrictions, weather conditions, darkness and lack of landing zones.
2.3 Challenging situations and items
Most of the experts agree that cold chain items (blood samples and vaccines), general medical supplies and passengers are the most prioritized elements to be the main challenge with reference to transport. Drone cargo transport is favored considering the time limits of medical samples between sampling and the analysis. This also solves the problem of storage capacity.
- Critical Evaluation and Justification of the Technical Business Case of the Technology
Going by the expertise views, the best favorable application of light cargo drone is the quick, small, and individual responses to particular limited needs by use of the adaptability and flexibility of the light cargo drone. Compare to ground transport, drones are able to travel following linear path to the terminus at a high speed. This can enhance a quick transportation of samples and people during the time of epidemic. This fast, single delivery is the major benefit of light cargo drone.
Another promising application of cargo drone is the transportation of small and light items faster, more efficient considering fuel consumption and the staff are assured of their safety (Tatsidou 2019).
Another technical solution that can be offered by cargo drones is when imagined as a relay for telecommunication by offering mobile networks following some natural disasters. A cargo drone would assist in the transportation of information and making sure that there is the steady exchange of data with outposts that are inaccessible.
As shown in the table below, experts have varied views on the requirements. Some consider payloads of not more than 5 kg or flight duration of not more than 1 hour. Other experts consider capacities of 1 to 5 kg being sufficient for the transportation. Others consider a maximum passenger weight of 50 kg being sufficient for a flight time of 30 minutes.
Logistics managers consider the assumption of population since more individuals will relate a larger drone to be carrying missiles while the same people would think of a smaller drone to be a spy.
Most of the experts also preferred a fully automated landing and pick-up for the cargo drone. A parachute drop is suitable for persons without underlying medical conditions. A parachute cargo is needed where it is impossible to land. To reduce the need for ground staff, the cargo drone is able to identify the parcels automatically and pick them up.
For the maintenance issue, a low-budget cargo drone is a solution (Cawthorne 2019). The feasibility of cargo drone in the field depends very much on the mechanical ease of maintenance and repairs hence having many low-budget cargo drones might be the solution. The other requirements are summarized below
- Conclusions and Recommendation
The above data analysis indicates that the most significant cargo drones use-cases – when considering the present technology potential – can be provided by the smaller, single and quicker responses to particular limited needs. Experts mentioned various requirements (technical), which differ broadly – particularly concerning payloads and distance. Nevertheless, they are in agreement that the model ought to be easy to handle, which can be concluded to be a self-directed vertical take-off and landing cargo drone, able to pick up and deliver parcels automatically. The issue of field repairs and maintenance plus the extra pressure of field staffs can be solved by having backup stocks of low-budget cargo drones with rotating systems of sending defective drones for repairs back to headquarters.
This analysis can pinpoint that the cargo drone itself will be both more cost efficient and more effective compared to ground transportation in the long-distance transport of outreach areas. The goods delivery is by now demonstrated scientifically to be more efficient in terms of cost. Additionally, the new strategies realizable with cargo drone – such as the central storage strategy – will raise efficiency further. Other than those encouraging use-cases, others can be seen in the backing of overcoming of challenges regarding curfews and cross-border activities. The drone can also function as a relay for telecommunication to provide mobile networks after natural disasters or illuminating rescue mission and night-time searches.
The most challenging goods to transport as identified from the analysis is cold chain items. Since light and very quick transport of goods with high-value is a cargo drone specialty, unmanned technology should transport such goods (Baik 2019). Cargo drone cool boxes that are specially designed – which are as light as possible – will ensure long-lasting required temperature is maintained instead of general heavy goods carriers.
The possibilities based on the requirements is shown below:
Finally, to put together a variety of various criteria – as found in the analysis – considering the technology demands, there is need to give technical recommendations. First, it is obvious that various forms of cargo drones are needed for the differing use-cases. Based on these situations and considering the availability of market, the following cargo drone model is recommended.
The above model exemplifies the single and fast response to specific need. It is able to send life-saving goods on demand in remote regions. Payloads of about 2 kg and 50-100 km ranges will fit most of the discussed cases. The system is anticipated to be operated by field logistician after a short training. A simple and safe operation – especially in terms of delivery – to safely offload and return the cargo drone are key criteria for the success of this model.
- References
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