Drones and the Future of Delivery Robots
Overview
As we look towards the future, there is no doubt that delivery robots and drones will play a significant role in the evolution of logistics and transportation. Increasingly more companies are investing in these advanced technologies to increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve customer service. Key statistics from this guide highlight this trend: the global drone market is predicted to reach $42.8 billion by 2025; by 2030, 85% of last-mile deliveries could potentially be made by autonomous vehicles and robots; the delivery robot market is expected to reach 34 million units by 2024 with a CAGR of 19.15%.
Drone Delivery
Drones are revolutionizing the logistics industry. According to Statista, the global drone market is expected to reach a whopping $42.8 billion by 2025, up from $14.1 billion in 2018. This growth illustrates a significant push towards unmanned aerial vehicles for multiple purposes, including commercial and retail deliveries. Drones offer several advantages such as faster delivery times, decreased transportation costs, and the ability to reach remote or restricted areas. Companies like Amazon, Google and DHL are investing heavily in the development of drone delivery services.
Robotic Delivery
Delivery robots are another promising solution for last-mile delivery issues. Research shows that by 2030, 85% of last-mile deliveries could potentially be made by autonomous vehicles and delivery robots. These robots come in various shapes and sizes, from small sidewalk bots to full-size autonomous vans. Companies including Starship Technologies, Nuro, and FedEx are introducing robots to navigate sidewalks and roads, carrying goods directly to customers’ homes. The market for delivery robots is expected to reach 34 million units by 2024 with a CAGR of 19.15%.
Key Takeaways
- The global drone market is expanding rapidly, expected to reach $42.8 billion by 2025.
- Companies such as Amazon, Google, and DHL are investing in drone delivery services.
- Automation of last-mile delivery through robots could potentially reach 85% by 2030.
- The market for delivery robots is expected to reach 34 million units by 2024, with a 19.15% CAGR.
About 3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics is making strides in the world of robotics, particularly drone and autonomous delivery. The company is developing innovative software to enhance the safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of robotics systems.
The primary focus of 3Laws is to address the challenge of certification, a significant pain point for many robotics companies. Its software, called 3Laws Supervisor, is designed to simplify this process by offering robust safety features and evidence of system robustness, potentially hastening the path to certification.
3Laws' software is built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), innovative technology developed at Caltech. It aids in achieving mathematically provable safety. Notably, 3Laws has demonstrated its value in diverse applications, from warehouse automation, improving efficiency by 40%, to enabling safe human-robot interactions, to promoting effective navigation in dynamic environments through collision avoidance capabilities.
Moreover, the 3Laws Supervisor enhances operational efficiency by minimizing downtime caused by unnecessary emergency stops or collisions. Using real-time guardrails for autonomy stacks, 3Laws allows robots to operate closer to their peak capabilities while maintaining safety.
The software is adaptable and works with various platforms, including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators. It aligns with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2. This adaptability positions 3Laws Robotics as a next-generation safety solution, offering proactive safety to unlock the full potential of robotics. Furthermore, it is expected to be safety certified for standards like ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262, putting it at the forefront of robotics safety solutions.