The future of package delivery is greatly dependent on technological advancements. The parcel industry has seen a constant boom over the years. After the pandemic, global parcel volumes received another boost.
According to Statista, the number of shipments worldwide was 131 billion parcels in 2020. Most likely these numbers will face a continued upward trajectory. By 2026, the expected parcel volumes will be approximately 266 billion according to the current growth trends.
As the parcel industry continues to grow, package delivery also needs to transform to keep up with the increasing customer demands. Following are a couple of trends to look for that may define the future of package delivery:
Smart Parcel Lockers
Smart Parcel Lockers are efficient technological parcel locker solutions. Affiliated smartphone apps make it easy to manage these lockers from the palm of your hand.
Automated notifications alert customers when their parcel is ready for pick up. Users can also arrive at the smart locker and scan a QR code to access their package.
Smart Lockers come with many different advantages such as:
- They offer complete control over the delivery. Users can be aware of their package status at every stage through automated locations.
- They are available 24/7 and are easy to access at prime locations.
- They offer a better, faster, and considerably more flexible service.
- They have a high level of security as nobody can open these lockers without the secret code they receive.
- They receive, log and track packages without involvement from staff that reduces errors.
Overall, smart lockers have already started to shape the future of package delivery. They are a robust solution that many companies have already implemented.
Package Delivery Drones
Shipping by drones is to be a major placeholder in the future of delivery services. Companies like Google and Amazon have already started exploring the option of drone delivery, with Amazon introducing Amazon Air.
Irish company Manna has already implemented drone technology quite effectively. Moreover, shipping by drones is likely 90% cheaper than delivery by conventional car-based services.
According to Statista, in 2025, drone sales are likely to triple as compared to 2020. Furthermore, forecasters expect that the drone delivery market will be worth around 1.68 billion US dollars in 2023.
Forbes explains how orders delivered through drones will be exponentially faster and reach recipients within half an hour of placement. A lot of that has to do with the fact that drones travel through the air. In this way, they avoid all traffic-related issues. Moreover, drone delivery is especially useful in the post-pandemic world as it offers contactless delivery and a reduced risk of transmission.
All these benefits point to drones being extremely prominent in the future of parcel delivery.
Autonomous Cars
According to a report from PMI, the autonomous vehicles market was worth 68.7 billion US dollars in 2019 and will continue to expand to around 196.2 billion by 2029.
Many companies like Tesla, Gatik, and Amazon are testing self-driving vehicles, which will massively contribute to innovating the future of eCommerce delivery. The increased demand for contactless deliveries has also accelerated the need for shipping through autonomous cars. If implemented properly, it could be a game-changer for the shipping industry.
It includes expected benefits like lowered costs, freight and delivery times coupled with improved fuel efficiency. Moreover, with autonomous vehicles, customers can track their packages every step of the way.
Since autonomous vehicles are not human, they can work long hours with fewer breaks. They also use less gas and maintain better engine health. Ultimately, these vehicles offer an effective and cleaner supply chain.
Package Delivery Robots
Delivery robots comprise containers on six wheels that drive the parcel over to your location. Their most prominent benefit is that they are a fast delivery option. They can allow customers to receive their packages extremely quickly.
Shipping through a delivery robot is also a cost-effective solution, as seen by Starship Technology Delivery Robot, which only requires customers to download the app and pay a monthly subscription of 10 dollars. The chances of the robot reaching its destination without failure are also extremely high.
These robots are also fitted with alarms that notify the company in case of any disturbance. Furthermore, they come with GPS, a programmed map, speakers, and microphones to communicate effectively.
However, despite their many advantages, the package delivery robots still require a lot of research and come with some security concerns. As these robots are usually dependent on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, connection issues can surface.
Still, delivery robots have a major role in the future of delivery services.
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Conclusion
The parcel delivery industry has continued to expand and become more innovative over the years. As package volumes grow in size every year, delivery methods also need updating to accommodate increased demands. The future of package delivery would be significantly influenced by technology. Delivery drones and robots, self-autonomous cars, and smart package lockers are more likely going to be prominent in the future of e-commerce delivery.
These new delivery methods aim to be faster, more efficient, and cost-effective. However, due to logistics issues, these nifty ways of package delivery still have a long way to go before they become the new normal. Meanwhile, customers can benefit from good digital package management solutions like Mailroom by PackageX. It’s an efficient system that helps customers receive their packages without the hassle and with complete transparency!
