Drone delivery service changes home design?

Recently, a delivery service using an unmanned aerial vehicle is drawing attention. Trial operations are being conducted in some areas, and some areas have already started commercial service. It was pointed out that the change in the practical use of the drone delivery service could also affect the design of the house.

In the U.S., from October 2019, Google’s parent company, Afabet’s Wing, began piloting a delivery service using drones in Virginia. In August 2020, Amazon Prime Air, an Amazon drone delivery service, was approved by the Federal Aviation Administration FAA, and the deployment of drone delivery services is proceeding smoothly.

Meanwhile, reports are pointing out that there is no convenient way for customers to receive shipments at home. There are still security issues for deliveries and customers, such as drones placing deliveries in the backyard or driveway of houses. Chicago-based technology startup Valqari is developing drone delivery boxes that can handle a variety of cargo delivered by drones, from retail packages to restaurant dishes. It is said that the top of the Valkyrie delivery box works as a drone landing pad, and the landing drone is moved to the inside so that luggage can be safely stored.

Valkyrie said it is planning not only a delivery box, but also a large safe that can unify and store small boxes and various furniture deliveries to fit the window of a house. It explains that drone delivery boxes will become common in the future.

Accordingly, future architects can prepare delivery boxes for unmanned aerial vehicles on the windows and rooftops, considering the deployment of drone delivery services. Wal-Mart said that when the drone delivery service became common, as an alternative, it is applying for a patent for a system that allows drones to photograph shipments and transport luggage to buildings on a conveyor belt.

An example of how new technology has changed the housing structure is an integrated Skyport plan that allows vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to take off and land in luxury homes built in southern Florida. Houses with Skyport can be bought by those who expect future price increases, but real estate experts say delivery drones are likely to be put into practice before VTOL. The drone delivery service says that the number of people required for delivery is less than that using conventional vehicles, and it can reduce road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, there is a need to solve logistics problems such as drone deployment and charging by preparing a structure to prevent collisions between drones.

In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the daily life of ordinary users accepting drone delivery services is threatened by drones and that there is no problem of privacy protection. First, Wing complained that the drone sound was loud during a test operation of a delivery drone conducted in Australia, and the wing said it developed a quieter propeller in response to this problem.

A logistics innovation expert pointed out that security is a user’s primary concern. A study that investigated whether users would accept the drone delivery service found that users were concerned about privacy security, including financial risks such as loss of luggage. It is predicted that future homes will be required to respond to drone delivery services in consideration of security. Related information can be found here .