![Drone delivery.jpg](https://www.zdnet.com/a/img/resize/afde96d7a91efd8fd1c8e2fd71a6fc7e9c099f40/2022/07/27/e525d4d5-eb89-4d36-9f81-d0bd9972e2b6/amazon-prime-air.jpg?auto=webp&width=1280)
When you hear that Amazon has officially entered the drone delivery game, you might feel like adoption is inevitable. But what do consumers think about the possibility?
A new survey of more than 1,000 consumers across the United States sought to find the exact answer to that question and distill consumer sentiments about the advent of drone delivery and the new phase of ultra-fast end-to-end services. The highest good? Consumers are curious about drones and tend to favor the technology in general, but like seemingly everything else in the country, there is no consensus.
The survey found that a majority of Americans (58%) favor the idea of drone delivery, and more Americans (64%) believe drones are either becoming an option for home deliveries now or will be in the near future. Those who think the trend is inevitable and those who think it's a good idea.
Of the 64% who think drones will become an option for parcel delivery, 32% think it will be possible now or within the next 1 to 2 years, 18% say it will be possible within 3 to 4 years, and 14% say it will be possible within 5 to 10 years. Of those who doubt, 36% think it is unlikely to happen. The biggest reason for the hold-off was the possibility of regulatory hurdles, with 20% believing the general public or government would not approve of large-scale adoption of drones for deliveries.
16% of those surveyed would prefer that not to happen. Considering the frequent criticisms of this idea, including fears of noise and nuisance, and privacy concerns, I'm honestly surprised the numbers are so low.
“Americans are ready for drones to deliver packages, and retailers that adopt and expand their drone delivery programs will be ahead of the curve,” said Lorenz Meier, co-founder and CEO of Auterion, an open source-based drone mobility manufacturer. “He says. Propeller Insights is the platform that commissioned the report. “Cargo is the first time most people will experience first-hand the power of air mobility and autonomous systems. Drones will become a tangible, everyday reality.”
The most common home delivery types currently reported by surveyed consumers are groceries, clothing, household goods, meals, and medications. 54% of Americans are willing to consider drones the “new corner store” that sells many of these items. Considering consumers' tendency to seek convenience, same-day delivery naturally ranked high in importance.
This is not to say that there is no fear. 43% of respondents were worried their drone would break down and not receive their package, while 19% felt distressed about the lack of human interaction with delivery workers, part of a larger trend towards contactless services. The era of quick conversations with delivery people may come to an end in the era of drone delivery.
There were additional concerns that seemed to be general to the delivery and logistics sector rather than being specific to drones. 39% are concerned that drones will deliver goods to the wrong address, and 38% are worried that if something happens to the drone, it will not deliver. There is a 37% chance that I will get a refund and my items will be damaged from the trip. In particular, 32% expressed fears that the skies would become cluttered with ugly, noisy technology, a very real fear and one we've never seen poorly addressed in the race for drone delivery.
And how much will consumers pay for the privilege of having their packages delivered by air? Turns out, not much. Free drone delivery was attractive to 59% of respondents, but that number has fallen sharply since then. The highest additional costs some Americans are willing to pay range from $1 to $10 (41%) to more than $10 (18%), while a full 41% are not willing to pay any additional costs.
In other words, Americans will enjoy the convenience of lightning-fast drone delivery, but it's better if it doesn't cost a fortune.