Tag Archives: package delivery

Wing to launch unique new drone delivery model

Posted on March 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Wing, a subsidiary of Alphabet (think Google), is pioneering a new delivery model. Drones pick up packages and deliver them via a network of landing pads and charging stations. They can handle multiple deliveries point-to-point without returning to the base. It’s because the standardized landing and charging stations are also near to the start point of their next run.

The CEO indicates that the model is a lot more like a computer message network than a last-mile logistics network. The software they’ve written matches the delivery demand with the available drones. Any nearby drone can pick up and make the delivery, then scout via software for another nearby pickup.

It’s another ingenious solution to the problems of thin demand. If there’s not enough, drones will be unoccupied. Pooling demand for package rides will make the system work better.

Another advantage of drones for delivery is their zero-emission properties. Drones are electric-powered, and emit lots less than local delivery trucks. They are also lots cheaper. There are limits on the size of packages they can carry, but if you look at typical deliveries to an apartment complex, for instance, you see that most packages are small.

Perhaps drone delivery is the future of last-mile package service.

Jack Daleo·Thursday, March 09, 2023

Wing to launch unique new drone delivery model – FreightWaves

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Posted in Air, Logistics, Supply Chains

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Gig driver for a day. Here’s what we learned making deliveries for Veho

Posted on August 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Here we see a day in the life of a package delivery driver for Veho, which seems to be an enlightened last-mile delivery company that is actively trying to make work friendlier to the driver. The system they have developed tries to take into account driver needs as well as those of the customer and the shipper.

One of the major factors involved in keeping a workforce today is giving workers input and making the workplace friendly for them.

Veho seems to be using that principle to drive their business. Let’s hope it is successful for them.

One downside of this approach is the need for a depot where the packages are brought before the routing is done. That’s a capital expense that not all services will want to implement. It also slows up expansion into new markets, since the warehouse sites must be found and built out. However, the depot is key to the optimization for all the involved parties, including the driver.

Brian Straight Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Gig driver for a day. Here’s what we learned making deliveries for Veho | Modern Shipper

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Posted in Labor Economics, Logistics, Trucking

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Amazon blinks as transport costs surge and pushes use of collection points

Posted on October 15, 2021 by | 1 comment

The last mile is problematic for customer delivery. Amazon’s enthusiasm for ever faster delivery is causing some pain for the company. Maybe it’s the driver shortage?

The Amazon lockers, or collection points, are one way of reducing pain. The customer needs to do the last mile, and there is only one stop for the delivery van. Offering an inducement to use one is one way to get customers to try them. It might work for customers who are out and about every day, and probably drive by one. For stay-at-homes, especially during the pndemic, maybe not.

There’s no easy solution for last-mile delivery.

By Ian Putzger, Americas correspondent 15/10/2021

Amazon blinks as transport costs surge and pushes use of collection points – The Loadstar

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Posted in Logistics, Trucking

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