tag:theconversation.com,2011:/global/topics/drone-delivery-34381/articlesDrone delivery – The Conversation2023-10-24T15:41:54Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2160472023-10-24T15:41:54Z2023-10-24T15:41:54ZAmazon delivery drones: how the sky could be the limit for market dominance<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/555321/original/file-20231023-17-9b4vgi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=130%2C32%2C5267%2C2781&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/drone-delivery-concept-autonomous-unmanned-aerial-1887259213">metamorworks/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Amazon’s <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67132527">latest plan</a> to use drones to deliver packages in the UK by the end of 2024 is essentially a relaunch. It was ten years ago that the company’s founder Jeff Bezos first <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-unveils-futuristic-plan-delivery-by-drone/">announced</a> it would fly individual packages through the sky. </p>
<p>Three years later, an impressive <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZP0byX9zng">promotional video</a> revealed that the project was starting out in the British city of Cambridge. But by 2021, the operation appeared to have come to an <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/article/amazon-drone-delivery-prime-air">abrupt halt</a>.</p>
<p>Now it seems the company <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/20/amazon-drone-unit-hit-with-layoffs-as-long-awaited-program-launches.html">was undeterred</a> by that pause. The dream of sending drones to UK homes bearing (not very heavy) items that we cannot wait <a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-prime-air-delivery-drone-reveal-photos">more than 30 minutes</a> to have is <a href="https://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/news/operations/amazon-prime-air-drone-delivery-updates">back in play</a>. So, will it work this time?</p>
<p>In the US, progress has been sluggish. Amazon managed a grand total of <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/18/amazons-100-drone-deliveries-puts-prime-air-behind-google-and-walmart.html">100 deliveries</a> in May 2023, in two locations. (At one of these locations, in Texas, the company has to <a href="https://www.kbtx.com/2023/07/18/amazon-prime-air-delivery-sees-temporary-pauses-due-heat/">pause operations</a> when the temperature gets too high). </p>
<p>Despite this, Amazon plans to launch delivery drones in two new areas – one in the UK and one in Italy (precise locations are yet to be disclosed). It has a <a href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/transportation/amazon-prime-air-delivery-drone-reveal-photos">new model of drone</a> and a vast logistical network at its disposal. </p>
<p>Aside from these key factors, Amazon may well have been inspired by other companies in the sector. The most obvious example is drone delivery of vital <a href="https://www.economist.com/business/2019/06/15/drone-deliveries-are-advancing-in-health-care?ppccampaignID=&ppcadID=&ppcgclID=&utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=18156330227&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclid=CjwKCAjwp8OpBhAFEiwAG7NaErvVk5B9ZdJ9IpPlsshtkDmp0Xf7UpMkdys6iHS8azSijz7dEnAoiBoCAzsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds">medical supplies</a>. </p>
<p>Zipline started delivering blood and medicine to remote places in Rwanda, and has now expanded <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/24/with-ghana-expansion-ziplines-medical-drones-now-reach-22m-people.html">to Ghana</a> and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/27/zipline-novant-health-launch-us-drone-service-to-fight-pandemic.html">the US state of North Carolina</a>. Other companies <a href="https://about.ups.com/us/en/our-stories/innovation-driven/drone-covid-vaccine-deliveries.html">such as UPS</a> and <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/14/23217294/wing-drone-delivery-package-size-prototype">Google’s Wing</a> have started offering similar services. </p>
<p>But what these success stories have in common is that they are cost-efficient – pharmaceutical products weigh little and are typically expensive enough to justify the use of a drone – and they are focused on areas which are not densely populated. </p>
<p>In contrast, Amazon’s <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-prime-air-drone-delivery-cost-63-per-package-2025-2022-4?r=US&IR=T">own estimates</a> put the cost of delivering a single package at $484 (£395) today, which it expects to reduce to $63 (£51) by 2025. Offering customers <a href="https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2022/04/08/amazon-prime-air-drone-delivery/">free or cheap drone delivery</a> will be extremely expensive. </p>
<p>Amazon’s solution to this is likely to be the same one it has used so successfully over the last two decades: increasing the scale of its operation. After all, at the start of the century, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/washtech/daily/nov98/amazon110898.htm">many wondered</a> how e-commerce could ever be profitable. Now, millions of people buy from Amazon, and that vast number of customers is key to its success. </p>
<p>But Amazon’s business plan seems to rely on <a href="https://theconversation.com/us-regulator-is-suing-amazon-heres-what-this-could-mean-for-your-online-shopping-214669">dominating the market</a>. And for air deliveries, this means not only dropping packages in rural areas, but being available in cities where more than half the <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/urbanization">world’s population live</a>.</p>
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<p>While it may be easy to convince the residents of a small, low-density area to trial boxes of <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67132527">toothpaste and mouthwash</a> landing in their gardens, it might be much more difficult to persuade residents of apartment buildings to accept drones flying past their windows carrying their neighbour’s delivery of dog biscuits.</p>
<p>Added to this are the laws regulating the use of drones. In the UK, for example, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/drones-are-you-flying-yours-safely-and-legally">you are not allowed</a> to fly one over congested areas or within 50 metres “of a person, vehicle or building not under your control”.</p>
<h2>The higher they fly, the harder they fall</h2>
<p>Cities will not simply let commercial drones take to the skies – at least not without charging for the nuisance they generate. They will either ban drones in densely populated areas, or seek further regulation.</p>
<p>If regulation is the route taken, a new hurdle arises which is similar to the allocation of radio waves or mobile phone network licenses – that there will only be enough space for a few operators (sometimes just one). </p>
<p>This allocation usually happens through a bidding process. And studies of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014292101002185?casa_token=5lyPmXGWB64AAAAA:vqaBwGRlmFM7bS0VCCnalZg2M5HydSsuVXPsfl1jL3Zq5e6V1p8IO73pDIX4UTUtu4qe2jgDUbU">auctions of telecom licenses</a> show the importance of involving multiple credible operators. But having different firms winning the right to deliver in different cities could easily reduce the level of reach that Amazon would need to succeed. </p>
<p>An alternative scenario would see a single operator in charge of all drone deliveries. But this raises a <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/261392?casa_token=eT1pb4EyF18AAAAA:wK8CADwDrpC006mLOD594LIvOD7GazV9aaiYrptATbK4v9qLRI9Ak1gjaD3p6NUr1nz6bfe_Smqe">familiar economic problem</a>, where natural monopolies emerge in sectors like water provision or other kinds of infrastructure. </p>
<p>For, while society can often benefit from the innovation potential of the private sector, having only one firm in the market opens up the possibility of abuse. For instance, the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0957178712000422">privatisation of water in the UK</a> has come with a regulator which chooses the prices companies can charge, and never-ending debates on the <a href="https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/sewage-pollution-in-englands-waters/">regulation of sewage</a> and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45033486">leakages</a>.</p>
<p>Regardless of which company is awarded the business, external regulation usually involves a requirement to treat all consumers fairly and equally – which would mean charging Amazon the same price as its competitors to use the drones. </p>
<p>But fairness and equality are not the goals big companies are interested in when they invest heavily in innovative technology. Their goal is to obtain or keep a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167718721000023?casa_token=9j_xhdiE7e8AAAAA:-R0UfULXNFEKtSHIX_jQbw5Q3-Cz8knPBh_s4Tagl9KfgEXrhRMS6k6XCHV0YKQNBHFEsYtrb2s">dominant position</a> in the market.</p>
<p>Amazon’s current dominance largely relies on its superior logistical operation: it can deliver quickly, cheaply and reliably everywhere. With drone delivery available to other platforms at the same price, Amazon would lose this competitive advantage. So, if it does manage a successful launch this time around, it could well come at the expense of its current dominance as a logistical operation.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/216047/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Renaud Foucart does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Taking express delivery to new heights could be a risky move.Renaud Foucart, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1953612022-11-28T19:04:19Z2022-11-28T19:04:19ZWhen it comes to delivery drones, the government is selling us a pipe dream. Experts explain the real costs<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497538/original/file-20221128-17-9f5mq0.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=161%2C116%2C5829%2C3871&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>In early November, the Commonwealth Department of Infrastructure invited <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/infrastructure-planning-guidelines-drone-delivery-services">public comment</a> on proposed Australia-wide “drone delivery guidelines” it has been quietly developing with industry stakeholders. A slick new website – <a href="https://www.drones.gov.au/">drones.gov.au</a> – boasts of the supposed benefits of delivery drones. It claims they will create jobs, provide cost-efficiency and be environmentally sustainable. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/publications/infrastructure-planning-guidelines-drone-delivery-services-public-consultation-draft">draft guidelines</a> focus on minimal technical considerations concerning land-use planning (suggesting no special accommodations need to be made for drones), and safety and noise issues. These issues matter, but they entirely overlook the <a href="https://theconversation.com/drone-delivery-is-a-thing-now-but-how-feasible-is-having-it-everywhere-and-would-we-even-want-it-193301">stakes of permitting</a> delivery drones to dominate our skies. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/privatising-the-sky-drone-delivery-promises-comfort-and-speed-but-at-a-cost-to-workers-and-communities-166960">Privatising the sky: drone delivery promises comfort and speed, but at a cost to workers and communities</a>
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<p>Then there’s the question of whether the purported benefits stand up to scrutiny. Our team at the University of Western Australia’s <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/schools/research/Minderoo-Tech-and-Policy-Lab">Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab</a> has stress-tested the claims made in the department’s guidelines. This is what you need to know.</p>
<h2>Delivery drone networks would be a huge deal</h2>
<p>Drones hold a lot of promise in being able to substitute humans in dangerous or otherwise difficult (but important) work, such as <a href="https://www.drones.gov.au/drones-australia/how-are-drones-being-used-australia/fire-and-rescue">emergency relief</a>, <a href="https://fb.watch/h0cBuuLUIk/">aerial mustering</a> and <a href="https://rippercorp.com/divisions/ripper-tech/">shark patrol</a>. Commercial delivery drones, however, are an entirely different proposition. </p>
<p>The key player behind them is <a href="https://wing.com/">Wing Aviation</a>, a subsidiary of Google’s holding company Alphabet Inc. Wing has selected Australia as its lead test-site for <a href="https://youtu.be/8v5hCxBZTh0">on-demand</a> deliveries of <a href="https://fb.watch/h0kipdnFlP/">coffee, roast chicken</a>, <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/kfc-partners-with-drone-company-wing-for-deliveries/">Coke and chips</a>. This is a public health and environmental catastrophe waiting to happen – not to mention a visceral (even violent) imposition on public space. </p>
<p>Wing has operated in select parts of the ACT since <a href="https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1324917/083-ACT-Government-web.pdf">September 2017</a> and in Logan, Queensland, since <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/drone-delivery-company-wing-cleared-for-take-off-in-queensland-20190906-p52oth.html">September 2019</a>. Despite subsidising every aspect of the operations, creating zero cost for both merchants and consumers, it has not escaped complaints. Concerns have ranged from noise and safety complaints, to impacts on wildlife, pets and privacy.</p>
<p>Wing had <a href="https://bonythonagainstdronesdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2019/04/bad-bulletin-no-11-24-jan-2019.pdf">to cease operations</a> in Bonython after extensive protest from residents. Residents in Logan have reported being <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/queensland-resident-fed-up-with-drone-delivery-noise/d2b32612-40ac-4fbf-a5c6-3a6c823b2c2d">unsettled by neighbours</a> receiving up to eight noisy deliveries per hour. </p>
<p>Cities around the world are seeking <a href="https://thefifthestate.com.au/urbanism/infrastructure/why-australia-needs-to-have-a-conversation-about-removing-freeways/">alternatives to freeways</a> – acknowledging how road infrastructure contributes to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/feb/21/roads-nowhere-infrastructure-american-inequality">social inequality</a>, <a href="https://envhealthcenters.usc.edu/infographics/infographic-living-near-busy-roads-or-traffic-pollution/references-living-near-busy-roads-or-traffic-pollution">pollution</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/highway-closing-city-transformation-2018-5#the-highway-used-to-sever-downtown-rochester-on-all-sides-as-seen-in-these-aerial-photos-which-show-the-city-before-and-after-the-inner-loops-construction-3">reduced quality of life</a>. Do we want to replicate these problems in our skies?</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Clear blue skies above a beach" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=391&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=391&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=391&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=491&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=491&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497543/original/file-20221128-12-a7io2k.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=491&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Are we willing to give up our clear blue skies for ten minute food deliveries?</span>
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<h2>The benefits of delivery drones are unproven</h2>
<p>The guidelines emphasise the economic and eco-promise of a drone-filled future. A projected A$14.5 billion added to Australia’s GDP and 10,000 jobs over the <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/infrastructure-planning-guidelines-drone-delivery-services">next 20 years</a> is undeniably attractive. But does the evidence add up to this rosy vision?</p>
<p>The numbers cited in the guidelines actually come from an October 2020 <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/au/en/pages/public-sector/articles/economic-benefit-analysis-drones-australia.html">report prepared by</a> Deloitte Access Economics for the Department of Infrastructure. </p>
<p>Crucially, the report aggregates multiple markets for drone use, well beyond just delivery. In the Deloitte report, the segment of the drone market for military and industrial applications is estimated to grow to more than $5.5 billion, while the food delivery market, at $0.26 billion, is at best 20 times smaller. It appears military and industrial applications drive the bold economic estimates found in the guidelines – yet the department doesn’t mention them. </p>
<p>Also, the 2020 report caveats if its predictions of market expansion change, so too will its economic analysis. Australia’s highest inflation rate in <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/oct/26/australias-inflation-rate-hits-73-the-highest-in-since-1990-heaping-pressure-on-households">more than 30 years</a>, coupled with a global economic slowdown, and <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/australia/business-confidence">worsening business confidence</a> suggests Deloitte’s predictions are perhaps on shaky grounds.</p>
<p>The fragility of the economic promise is matched by equally shallow claims of environmental sustainability. There is a shrewd focus on “<a href="https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/last-mile-delivery-shipping-explained/">last-mile delivery emissions</a>” to demonstrate drones’ green credentials. But this ignores the emissions generated along the entire logistics chain of <a href="https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/delivery-drones-and-the-environment">this complex, technology-heavy</a> system.</p>
<p>There are compounding emissions created by <a href="https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2019-11-17/drone-deliveries-environment-trucks">additional warehousing</a> and the <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/drone-delivery-good-for-environment-180968157/">power needs</a> of drones – and that’s before we even consider the explosion in single-use packaging, as reusable coffee cups and containers languish at the back of the cupboard.</p>
<h2>Drones of indulgence, not necessity</h2>
<p>The guidelines state drones deliver “<a href="https://www.drones.gov.au/news-and-announcements/drone-delivery-guidelines-open-public-consultation">on-demand supplies</a>”. This raises the question: demanded by whom? Barely a fortnight ago Deliveroo went into voluntary <a href="https://riders.deliveroo.com.au/en/news/20221116">administration in Australia</a>, citing “challenging economic conditions”.</p>
<p>“On-demand supplies” is a loaded description that conflates necessity with desire – blurring essential medication with donuts. This descriptive sleight of hand casts drones as an all-or-nothing offering, which is of course untrue. </p>
<p>One can support Australia’s only other approved delivery drone operator, the regional medical supplier <a href="https://swoop.aero/">Swoop Aero</a>, without having to tolerate repeat junk-food deliveries whizzing by to the neighbours down the street.</p>
<h2>Citizens’ approval should be essential</h2>
<p>In 2002, Australia became the first country to <a href="https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en/knowledge/publications/7b7067d8/rise-of-the-drones-opportunity-and-liability-for-australian-businesses">regulate civilian drone use</a>. The intervening 20 years have afforded the drone industry multiple opportunities to <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/national-emerging-aviation-technologies--consultative-committee-meeting--6december2021.pdf">influence the regulatory process</a>, mostly beyond the public eye. Delivery drones necessitate an entirely different conversation. </p>
<p>In 2019, some unsuspecting Canberrans only discovered they were guinea pigs in a <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6018894/how-canberra-became-the-drone-capital/">food delivery drone trial</a> when the drones began to appear on their neighbour’s doorsteps. They then found out the company responsible, Google Wing, also runs the public feedback process on <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/aviation/emerging-aviation-technologies/drone-delivery-operations-australia">behalf of the government</a>. Such events do not deliver the transparency and impartiality demanded of <a href="https://www.logan.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/2150/decision-making-framework">government decision-making</a>. </p>
<p>Drones demand an open and expansive discussion about the vital, living <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xyKjoPgPJJe8I4ejTsR2b?si=-AAllKV3T8adnVh86pBHBQ">habitat above our heads</a>. We must resist empty promises and indulgence, and centre the much broader needs of all living things. </p>
<p>Google has an ambition to use Australia as its laboratory to develop the future of drone deliveries, before <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/drones-for-good/jesse-suskin-wing">exporting it abroad</a>. Australians have a chance to turn this plan on its head. Submissions for feedback on the draft guidelines <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/have-your-say/infrastructure-planning-guidelines-drone-delivery-services">close on December 2</a>. After that, you can have your say <a href="https://www.drones.gov.au/have-your-say">here</a>.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/drone-delivery-is-a-thing-now-but-how-feasible-is-having-it-everywhere-and-would-we-even-want-it-193301">Drone delivery is a thing now. But how feasible is having it everywhere, and would we even want it?</a>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The UWA Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab receives unrestricted gift funding from Australian charitable foundation, Minderoo Foundation.</span></em></p>Drones have great potential for carrying out important tasks that are just too hard for humans; delivering fast food isn’t one of them.Hannah Smith, Research Fellow, UWA Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab, Law School, The University of Western AustraliaJulia Powles, Associate Professor of Law and Technology; Director, UWA Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab, Law School, The University of Western AustraliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1933012022-10-27T01:16:50Z2022-10-27T01:16:50ZDrone delivery is a thing now. But how feasible is having it everywhere, and would we even want it?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492012/original/file-20221027-23886-7u3iex.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=8%2C238%2C2982%2C2007&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wing</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>In recent years, cafes, supermarkets and online shops have started to trial drone delivery in a handful of locations around the world. More than a <a href="https://builtin.com/drones/drone-delivery-companies">dozen drone delivery companies</a> are now running such trials.</p>
<p>Just this week, Wing (owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet) announced a partnership with Australian supermarket giant Coles to <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-26/qld-supermarket-drone-delivery-available-gold-coast-/101573808">deliver small items via drone to customers close to a Gold Coast supermarket</a>. Wing is already operating in parts of Canberra and Logan, Queensland. </p>
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<p>Given the technical success of various trials so far, it is worth exploring whether drone delivery might become mainstream and can actually be scaled up geographically.</p>
<p>As you would expect, the answer is “it depends”. There are many issues when considering drones around people, such as safety and infrastructure. For example, a recent <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-30/food-delivery-drone-lands-on-power-lines-qld-browns-plains/101489670">crash of a delivery drone on electricity lines</a> in a suburb of Logan left thousands without power.</p>
<p>There is also potential <a href="https://theconversation.com/drones-to-deliver-incessant-buzzing-noise-and-packages-116257">unwanted noise</a> and visual pollution, and a perceived issue around privacy.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/privatising-the-sky-drone-delivery-promises-comfort-and-speed-but-at-a-cost-to-workers-and-communities-166960">Privatising the sky: drone delivery promises comfort and speed, but at a cost to workers and communities</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Safety first</h2>
<p>Adding potentially dozens of small aircraft to the sky above our homes, workplaces and roads each day is a serious business. As you would hope, currently the operation of commercial drones is a highly regulated undertaking in most countries. </p>
<p>In Australia, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority <a href="https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/industry-initiatives/drone-delivery-services">has strict regulations</a> that aim to make the operation of drones as safe as possible. They also <em>prohibit</em> drone use if the craft can’t be used safely in a given situation.</p>
<p>In fact, Australia was one of the first countries to have drone regulations. For example, you cannot fly a drone close to an airport, or directly over people.</p>
<p>Commercial operators of drones are acutely aware of this and gain a licence to operate – it is not in anyone’s interest to operate unsafely, and it would be bad for business.</p>
<h2>A limited geographic market – for now</h2>
<p>To satisfy the requirement of operating drones safely, delivery operators focus on flying drones over unpopulated land, generally very low-density areas, and in particular the urban fringe. These are newer suburbs where drone flight paths can be planned to eliminate or minimise safety issues, such as an unexpected crash. </p>
<p>It is no coincidence Wing has been running drone delivery trials in low-density areas of Southeast Queensland, and outer <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6009932/wings-delivery-drone-service-gets-the-green-light/">Canberra suburbs</a>. These places are ideal for drone delivery and a great place to continue to develop this business, even if the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-11/wing-resumes-drone-deliveries-after-raven-attacks/100689690">odd bird attack can disrupt things</a>.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1442603431672225796"}"></div></p>
<p>But drone delivery in dense parts of major cities? This is very unlikely in the medium term, due to extreme difficulty in safely operating drones in dense suburbs.</p>
<p>If you live in an apartment building, where would the delivery take place? On the roof? Maybe, if your building was set up for it. This is where scaling up faces the largest difficulties, and the logistics of running potentially hundreds of drones from a distribution centre become truly challenging.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Zipline and Walmart team up for drone delivery.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>However, if there was a high demand for it, and the right investments were made, it is feasible that drone delivery to dense city areas could be achieved.</p>
<p>But just because it might be technically possible, doesn’t mean it <em>will</em> happen. The long-term business case would need to make sense, of course. But there is a more critical issue in the near term – the <a href="https://ethics.org.au/ethics-explainer-social-license-to-operate/">social licence to operate</a>.</p>
<h2>A social licence</h2>
<p>A social licence is not an official thing, a government body does not issue one. It is more about whether the general public accepts and supports the new thing.</p>
<p>At the end of the day, this social acceptance is what often determines the success or failure of widespread uptake of new technology, such as delivery drones. </p>
<p>Take nuclear power, for example. Many countries have nuclear power and the public there seem happy with that. Other countries had a social licence for nuclear power and lost it, such as Japan. In Australia we do not have a social licence for nuclear power, but that does not mean we won’t gain it in the future. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/from-divestments-to-protests-social-licence-is-the-key-33576">From divestments to protests, social licence is the key</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>A social licence is an ever-evolving construct based on the pros and cons of a technology, all of which is influenced by its perceived value. Most people are now seemingly comfortable to be tracked 24 hours a day by their smartphones, as they believe the benefits outweigh the potential negative impacts.</p>
<p>It is likely we already have a solid social licence to use drones to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41591-022-00053-9">deliver emergency life-saving medicine</a> to people in need. In a potential life-or-death situation like that, it is easy to see that normally the benefits outweigh any risks or inconvenience to others.</p>
<p>But delivering a coffee or a tube of toothpaste by drone? I think the social licence for that is up for grabs. At this point in time, it could go either way.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193301/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jonathan Roberts is Director of the Australian Cobotics Centre, the Technical Director of the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub, and is a Chief Investigator at the QUT Centre for Robotics. He receives funding from the Australian Research Council. He was the co-founder of the UAV Challenge - an international drone competition.</span></em></p>In a few Australian suburbs, a cup of coffee or toothpaste can now arrive via the air. But that doesn’t mean drones are going to be widespread – for now.Jonathan Roberts, Professor in Robotics, Queensland University of TechnologyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1669602021-10-04T04:20:44Z2021-10-04T04:20:44ZPrivatising the sky: drone delivery promises comfort and speed, but at a cost to workers and communities<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424118/original/file-20211001-18-kz3xmc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C2000%2C1119&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wing</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Drone delivery company <a href="https://wing.com/en_au/">Wing</a> recently celebrated 100,000 deliveries with an unusual <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/25/alphabet-wing-drones-delivered-10000-cups-of-coffee-in-the-last-year.html">burst</a> of <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/25/22640833/drone-delivery-google-alphabet-wing-milestone">media</a> <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90669760/alphabet-wing-drones-chicken-delivery">fanfare</a>. Australia is at the forefront of Wing’s plans, with the company’s two biggest trial sites running in Canberra and Logan in Queensland.</p>
<p>Wing tells a simple story of barista coffee and roast chooks dropped on your driveway at a moment’s notice. Short on Vegemite for the kids’ brekky? Hop on the app, order, and a drone will lower a new jar to your doorstep before the toast is cool. All quick, contactless, and COVID-safe. </p>
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<p>But the real story is much more complex. Drone delivery at scale will transform the skies, change expectations for speedy delivery, and hide the labour that makes it possible.</p>
<p>Owned by Alphabet, the parent company of Google, Wing has huge resources. New drone regulations are already being written, and Wing is setting itself up to be the backbone of a new aerial infrastructure.</p>
<h2>How Wing works</h2>
<p>Wing operates much like many app delivery platforms. After signing up, customers use the smartphone app to place their orders. Orders are then packed at local base stations and flown to their destinations by Wing’s drones. On arrival, the packages are lowered to customers by winch, automatically detaching from the drone before it returns to the base station.</p>
<p>Unlike the hobby drones you might see above parks and beaches, Wing’s delivery drones can operate out of the operator’s line of sight. Flight is fully autonomous, with one pilot monitoring several flights at once and able to take over or land if necessary. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424127/original/file-20211001-19-15vta70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424127/original/file-20211001-19-15vta70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424127/original/file-20211001-19-15vta70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424127/original/file-20211001-19-15vta70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424127/original/file-20211001-19-15vta70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424127/original/file-20211001-19-15vta70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424127/original/file-20211001-19-15vta70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A promotional video shows a Wing delivery drone in action.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wing</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>How that will scale up in volume and frequency isn’t clear. So far, the trial sites in Canberra and Logan offer clear and uncomplicated airspace and a flat, regular urban environment. </p>
<p>For customers, all this promises a swift, seamless and contactless experience. </p>
<p>Deloitte’s <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/economic-benefit-analysis-of-drones-to-australia-final-report.pdf">economic modelling on the drone industry</a> in Australia notes that drones enable further automation of work. But behind every promise of “autonomous” or “automated” technology are <a href="https://reallifemag.com/potemkin-ai/">hidden human workers</a>. </p>
<h2>Whose labour does it save?</h2>
<p>One of Wing’s major promises is unbelievably fast delivery on demand. Wing boasts an average delivery time of roughly 10 minutes. Their quickest time recorded – from order placement to product in hand – is <a href="https://wing.com/en_au/how-it-works/">2 minutes and 47 seconds</a>. </p>
<p>This is a remarkable acceleration in the pace and expectation of delivery. Ordinary mail might take days or weeks, but thanks to the “<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2018/02/22/what-the-amazon-effect-means-for-retailers/?sh=768479f12ded">Amazon effect</a>” private delivery services have already <a href="https://theconversation.com/coles-and-woolworths-are-moving-to-robot-warehouses-and-on-demand-labour-as-home-deliveries-soar-166556">shifted expectations</a> from next-day to same-day and now even one or two hours. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424142/original/file-20211001-25-43001e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424142/original/file-20211001-25-43001e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424142/original/file-20211001-25-43001e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424142/original/file-20211001-25-43001e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424142/original/file-20211001-25-43001e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424142/original/file-20211001-25-43001e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424142/original/file-20211001-25-43001e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">‘Fully autonomous’ delivery is only made possible by hidden human labour.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wing</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While Wing’s drones are autonomous, the service still relies on human labour. Pilots monitor flight paths, packers parcel up the products, and maintenance staff take care of the hardware and software. All of these workers must perform to satisfy the 10 minute delivery time. </p>
<p>Amazon warehouses and food delivery apps have shown us how such punishing timelines can be <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/05/amazon-workers-protest-unsafe-grueling-conditions-warehouse">dangerous for worker safety</a> and devastating for morale. For precariously employed or gig economy workers, missing targets can mean <a href="https://www.wired.co.uk/article/uber-fired-algorithm">instant termination</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/they-track-our-every-move-why-the-cards-were-stacked-against-a-union-at-amazon-159531">'They track our every move': why the cards were stacked against a union at Amazon</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>And the repercussions of 10-minute delivery may spread beyond Wing. If consumer expectations change, rival delivery companies (who may not be using automated drones) will feel pressure to keep pace.</p>
<p>Deloitte modelling from 2020 suggests drone delivery could cost less than half the current rate of an e-bike delivery. In the Canberra trial, some products at least are delivered for the same as in-store prices. How those delivery costs will be distributed between Wing, businesses, workers and customers once the pilot programs are over, however, is unclear — but if the likes of UberEats are anything to go by, it may well end up being businesses and especially delivery workers who carry most of the cost.</p>
<h2>Closing the sky</h2>
<p>Drone delivery may also have hidden environmental costs. Keeping cars and trucks off the road might <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-02411-5">cut energy consumption</a>, but mining lithium for batteries and supplying <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14614448211017887">energy for data centres</a> may reduce or eliminate those gains.</p>
<p>Getting sandwiches via drone could also mean more packaging and waste, as well as potential risks to birds and habitats from heavy aerial traffic. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=418&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=418&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424352/original/file-20211003-14-k8pkf1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=418&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Ravens in Canberra have taken to attacking Wing’s delivery drones.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAshKROIjtQ">Ben Roberts / YouTube</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>But a bigger question for the public is about the skies above our heads. Do we want to live under a cloud of drones? </p>
<p>At present, most of the time people are free to enjoy the skies above their homes and communities. Kids can fly kites and enthusiasts can fly their own drones. Drone delivery risks privatising a new layer of that common space, and handing it over to Alphabet and others. </p>
<h2>Building the legal and technical architecture to control the skies</h2>
<p>To privatise a new part of the sky, Australia’s drone regulations will have to change. The current rules are highly restrictive, built from a patchwork of international, federal and state laws developed primarily for aeroplanes.</p>
<p>Apart from hobbyists with constant line of sight, operating in limited times and places, each drone use requires explicit permission from the <a href="https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/industry-initiatives/drone-delivery-systems">Civil Aviation Safety Authority</a>. </p>
<p>New commercial applications are pushing this system beyond breaking point. They often require operation beyond visual line of sight, near populated areas, in a broad range of conditions, and without constant pilot supervision. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424165/original/file-20211001-27-4kj7uu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424165/original/file-20211001-27-4kj7uu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=328&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424165/original/file-20211001-27-4kj7uu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=328&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424165/original/file-20211001-27-4kj7uu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=328&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424165/original/file-20211001-27-4kj7uu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=412&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424165/original/file-20211001-27-4kj7uu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=412&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424165/original/file-20211001-27-4kj7uu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=412&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A worker waits to attach a delivery to a drone.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wing</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Bouyed by economic modelling from Deloitte suggesting the drone industry could be worth around $15 billion by 2040 (with e-commerce and deliveries making up about $600 million), the Australian government is pushing to modernise drone regulation. This means reappraising rules around environmental impacts, noise, safety, insurance, security and privacy.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/technology/files/attachment-a-ris-amend-regs-5-august-2021.pdf">resulting changes</a> will benefit different companies and business models. For example, more flexible noise standards will benefit commercial applications like delivery. This means the big question is how different stakeholders are influencing the development of these new laws. </p>
<h2>Capturing the standards for unmanned traffic management</h2>
<p>Alongside <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/aviation/technology/files/national-emerging-aviation-technologies-policy-statement.pdf">new regulations</a>, new digital infrastructures are being developed to manage increasingly congested and “automated” skyways. </p>
<p>Wing is heavily involved, providing a <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-29/alphabet-jumps-into-drone-air-traffic-control-with-flight-app">flight planning and safety app</a> for drone operators, a system for remote drone identification, and an “<a href="https://wing.com/en_au/unmanned-traffic-management/">unmanned traffic management</a>” service. </p>
<p>Owning the broader traffic management system is clearly part of the long-term business strategy. As Google has shown with its Android operating system, building infrastructure (even if it’s open source) can create a real commercial advantage. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-age-of-drones-has-arrived-quicker-than-the-laws-that-govern-them-47024">The age of drones has arrived quicker than the laws that govern them</a>
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</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Wing’s approach fits neatly with the Australian government’s desire for a market-based strategy to develop and implement its <a href="https://www.casa.gov.au/drones/industry-initiatives/digital-platform">first unmanned traffic management system</a> over the next 5 years. The trial programs in Canberra and Logan will help the company develop more comprehensive skyway traffic platforms that will govern airspace safety, communications standards, data management, and everything else needed to keep autonomous aerial commerce ticking over. </p>
<p>Policymakers know commercial development of communication infrastructure creates competition risks. However, they may not have the tools and expertise to enforce equal and fair access to skyway infrastructure. </p>
<p>And at present, the fundamental question of whether we <em>want</em> drone deliveries crowding our sky at all is completely off the table.</p>
<h2>Taking flight</h2>
<p>As we have seen with the likes of Uber and Airbnb, reining in tech companies once they are already running is hard. With Australia modernizing its aviation laws, Wing is well positioned to protect its agenda and make itself essential to future evolutions of the law. </p>
<p>The COVID-19 pandemic is also helping companies like Wing to accelerate their agenda, as they can promise less congestion, less consumer mobility, and less social contact. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/coles-and-woolworths-are-moving-to-robot-warehouses-and-on-demand-labour-as-home-deliveries-soar-166556">Coles and Woolworths are moving to robot warehouses and on-demand labour as home deliveries soar</a>
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<hr>
<p>While city skies crowded with delivery drones might be far away, the groundwork is being laid right now. Communities, businesses and workers need to be a much bigger part of the process of deciding if they want that future. </p>
<p>Getting sushi delivered by drone for lunch might seem like a neat idea, but the real price may have little to do with what gets charged to your card.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/166960/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Richardson receives funding from the Australian Research Council.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jake Goldenfein is supported by the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making & Society. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Thao Phan is employed in the ARC Centre of Excellence on Automated Decision-Making & Society</span></em></p>Drone delivery company Wing is out to transform the sky – and Australia is at the forefront of its plans.Michael Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW SydneyJake Goldenfein, Senior Lecturer, The University of MelbourneThao Phan, Research Fellow, Monash UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1514212020-12-21T12:00:41Z2020-12-21T12:00:41ZMake drones sound less annoying by factoring in humans at the design stage<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/375703/original/file-20201217-21-j6xjzl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=226%2C670%2C5615%2C3314&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/drone-transportation-camera-controls-highway-road-1082058548">Shutterstock/DmitryKalinovsky</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>These days almost everyone has either flown a drone or listened to the nasty whining sound they produce. Although small drones (up to 20kg) are <a href="https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/49647">about 40 decibels quieter</a> than conventional civil aircraft, they produce a high pitched noise – which people tend to find very annoying. </p>
<p>One <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20170005870/downloads/20170005870.pdf">Nasa study</a> found that drone sounds were more annoying than those made by road vehicles. And <a href="http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/59114/">my own research</a> has found that the noise of drones is less preferable than that of civil aircraft – even at the same volume.</p>
<p>Part of the problem is that drones often fly at relatively low altitudes over populated areas that are not normally exposed to aircraft noise. This is likely to lead to tensions within the <a href="https://bonythonagainstdrones.com/">exposed communities</a>. Unquestionably, if the noise issues are not tackled appropriately, they could derail the wider adoption and commercialisation of drones and put at risk the significant societal benefits that they could bring.</p>
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<p>For example, small to medium size drones are already used for multiple applications such as <a href="https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/press/news-2020/new-research-projects-to-explore-use-of-drones-for-medical-delivery-purposes">medical deliveries</a> and the search for <a href="https://skyports.net/2020/01/skyports-to-the-rescue-using-drones-to-help-the-emergency-services/">missing persons</a>. Another innovation in commercial aviation is the development of electrical vertical takeoff and landing (and possibly autonomous) vehicles to <a href="https://www.uber.com/in/en/elevate/uberair/">transport people in cities</a>. </p>
<p>Several “urban air mobility” vehicles, or “flying taxis” are currently being developed by <a href="https://evtol.com/news/urban-air-mobility-concepts-showcased-nbaa/">different aircraft manufacturers</a>. Both drones and flying taxis will produce sounds significantly different from conventional civil aircraft and will share similar issues regarding noise annoyance.</p>
<p>In 2019, I started a line of research which aimed to answer two big questions: how will communities react to these new vehicles with unconventional noise signatures when they begin to operate at scale? And how can the design of these new vehicles be improved to protect the health and the quality of life of the people living in those communities?</p>
<p>To answer the first question, we investigated how a drone operation could influence the perception of a series of <a href="http://usir.salford.ac.uk/id/eprint/53180/?template=banner">typical sound environments in cities</a>. As drones cannot be <a href="https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/where-you-can-fly">flown closer to people than 50m</a>, virtual reality techniques were used to produce highly realistic scenarios with a drone hovering in a selection of urban locations. </p>
<p>This laboratory study found that the noise generated by the hovering of a small quad-copter significantly affected the perception of the sound environment. For instance, an important increase in noise annoyance was reported with the drone hovering, particularly in locations with low volumes of road traffic. This suggested that the noise produce by road traffic could make drone noise less noticeable. So the operation of drones along busy roads might mitigate the increase of noise impact caused in the community.</p>
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<p>We are now testing a wide variety of drones, with different operating manoeuvres. We seek to better understand and predict human responses to the drone sounds and to gather meaningful evidence to further develop the <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R0945&from=EN">regulation of the sounds they produce</a>.</p>
<h2>Perception-influenced engineering</h2>
<p>By integrating human responses into the design process, the most undesirable noises can be avoided in the earliest stages of vehicle development.</p>
<p>This can either be done directly with subjective testing (human participants assessing and providing feedback for a series of drone noise samples) or through the use of so-called <a href="http://hub.salford.ac.uk/sirc-acoustics/psychoacoustics/sound-quality-making-products-sound-better/an-introduction-to-sound-quality-testing/sound-quality-metrics/">psycho-acoustic metrics</a> which are widely adopted in the automotive industry. These metrics allow an accurate representation of how different sound features (pitch, temporal variations, tones) are perceived. We want to use them to inform the design of drones. For instance, optimising the position of rotors to make drones sound less annoying.</p>
<p>The combination of virtual reality techniques and psycho-acoustic methods to inform the design and operation of drones will avoid costly and inefficient ad-hoc corrections at later stages, going beyond the traditional approach for aircraft noise assessment. But more importantly, if drone manufacturers incorporate these strategies into their designs, they might just build machines that are not only efficient, but also, just that little bit less irritating.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/151421/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Antonio J Torija Martinez does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>We’ve devised a way to factor in noise annoyance levels in drone design.Antonio J Torija Martinez, Lecturer in Acoustic Engineering, University of SalfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1346672020-03-31T05:54:25Z2020-03-31T05:54:25Z‘Pandemic drones’: useful for enforcing social distancing, or for creating a police state?<p>People in Western Australia may soon see more than birds in the sky, as the state’s police force <a href="https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-coronavirus-live-wa-to-see-if-premier-adopts-two-person-rule-as-cruise-debacle-escalates-20200329-p54f35.html">has announced plans</a> to deploy drones to enforce social distancing. The drones will visit parks, beaches and cafe strips, ensuring people comply with the most <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/mar/30/australia-coronavirus-shutdown-rules-stage-3-not-lockdown-what-is-closed-open-restrictions">recent round of gathering rules</a>. </p>
<p>As COVID-19 restrictions tighten around the world, governments are harnessing the potential of drones. From delivering medical supplies, to helping keep people indoors – drones can do a lot in a pandemic.</p>
<p>Since the outbreak began, China has used drones to deliver <a href="https://www.terra-drone.net/global/2020/02/07/terra-drones-group-company-antwork-helps-fighting-corona-virus-with-drones/">medical supplies</a> and <a href="https://kr-asia.com/jd-com-uses-logistics-drones-as-coronavirus-disrupts-traffic-in-china">food</a>, <a href="https://apnews.com/PR%20Newswire/084d73b9bc8644301e02ef2d8e809597">disinfect villages</a>, and even provide <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2020/02/20/drones-robots-coronavirus-china-technology/">lighting</a> to <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2020/02/03/coronavirus-hospital-complete-wuhan-china-news/">build a hospital in Wuhan in nine days</a>. <a href="https://www.gpsworld.com/china-fights-coronavirus-with-delivery-drones/">Drone medical deliveries</a> have cut transit times, reduced the strain on health personnel and enabled contactless handovers, reducing the risk of infection.</p>
<p>It’s clear drones are helping combat COVID-19, as governments use them to control and monitor. </p>
<p>But these measures may be difficult to rollback once the pandemic passes. And safeguards will be needed to prevent unwanted surveillance in the future.</p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/aerial-threat-why-drone-hacking-could-be-bad-news-for-the-military-124588">Aerial threat: why drone hacking could be bad news for the military</a>
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<h2>Drone use: clever, quirky and sometimes concerning</h2>
<p>With cities on lockdown, drones have shown <a href="https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-uncanny-melancholy-of-empty-photographs-in-the-time-of-coronavirus-133615">uncanny</a> images of emptied urban landscapes from <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/wuhan-coronavirus-drone-video-abandoned-city-quarantine-2020-2?r=US&IR=T">Wuhan</a> and <a href="https://futurism.com/drone-footage-haunting-emptiness-cities-under-quarantine">metros across the globe</a>. </p>
<p>Social distancing has inspired some quirky uses by individuals, including walking the dog and <a href="https://nypost.com/2020/03/23/brooklyn-guy-uses-drone-to-hit-on-a-gal-during-coronavirus-lockdown/">asking for a date</a>.</p>
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<p>But the main game has been about control. China is using drones to enforce quarantine rules and deter gatherings that violate social distancing rules. </p>
<p>One viral video showed a drone scolding an elderly woman for not wearing a mask. In some cases, traffic police and municipal officials used drones fitted with speakers to <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/6535353/china-coronavirus-drones-quarantine/">order people home and break up mahjong games</a>.</p>
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<p>Flying at high altitudes, drones can help police and other officials monitor large areas to identify those violating restrictions. Similar tactics are being used in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/spanish-police-using-drones-to-ask-people-stay-at-home-2020-3">Madrid</a> and <a href="http://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20200322-french-police-deploy-drones-helicopters-to-enforce-coronavirus-restrictions-covivd-19-lockdown">Nice</a>, with talk of deployment in many other places.</p>
<h2>A defence for the ‘good drone’?</h2>
<p>There are huge advantages in sending drones into disaster zones such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/gallery/2020/feb/11/drones-thermal-imaging-australia-koalas-bushfire-crisis">bushfires</a>, or remote landscapes for <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2019/05/11/rega-autonomous-rescue-drone/">search and rescue</a>. Pilots can safely stream crucial vision from a drone’s optical and thermal cameras. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/drones-help-track-wildfires-count-wildlife-and-map-plants-125115">Drones help track wildfires, count wildlife and map plants</a>
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<p>But while “good drones” can be valuable in disaster, they have been criticised for giving drone warfare an ethical veneer by association with humanitarian work. Some have even argued that using drones at all risks tainting relief work, because militaries <a href="https://www.routledge.com/The-Good-Drone-1st-Edition/Sandvik-Jumbert/p/book/9781472451118">have played a major role in developing drone technologies that are also responsible for humanitarian tragedies</a>. </p>
<p>Like all technologies, the question with drones should be about how they are used. For instance, inspecting the <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/04/inside-the-drone-missions-to-fukushima/237981/">breached nuclear reactor at Fukushima</a> with drones is sensible. But embedding systems of control that can be turned against civilians is its own disaster in the making.</p>
<h2>Normalising surveillance</h2>
<p>With high definition and infrared images streamed to command stations, China’s drones may be able to use <a href="https://www.wsj.com/video/china-deploys-drones-citizens-and-big-data-to-tackle-coronavirus/40590C07-FB56-46CE-8C25-72471A5ECD39.html">facial recognition</a> to identify specific individuals using its <a href="https://time.com/collection/davos-2019/5502592/china-social-credit-score/">Social Credit System</a>, and fine them for indiscretions. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/hundreds-of-chinese-citizens-told-me-what-they-thought-about-the-controversial-social-credit-system-127467">Hundreds of Chinese citizens told me what they thought about the controversial social credit system</a>
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<p>This level of social control may be appealing in a pandemic that could cost millions of lives. But it could also have chilling effects on social and political life.</p>
<p>Surveillance tools typically work best for social control when <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books?id=aXXlAAAAQBAJ">people know they are being watched</a>. Even in liberal societies, people might think twice about joining climate or racial justice protests if they know they’ll be recorded by a drone overhead.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/323423/original/file-20200326-132995-1ycz5w5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/323423/original/file-20200326-132995-1ycz5w5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=364&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/323423/original/file-20200326-132995-1ycz5w5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=364&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/323423/original/file-20200326-132995-1ycz5w5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=364&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/323423/original/file-20200326-132995-1ycz5w5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=458&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/323423/original/file-20200326-132995-1ycz5w5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=458&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/323423/original/file-20200326-132995-1ycz5w5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=458&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) used drones to capture scenes from the 2017 Black Lives Matter protests in Baltimore.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">FBI / ACLU</span></span>
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<p>Feeling like you’re constantly being watched can can create a kind of atmospheric anxiety, particularly for marginalised groups that are already closely monitored because of their religion or welfare status.</p>
<p>Putting more drones in the sky raises concerns about trust, privacy, data protection and ownership. In a crisis, those questions are often ignored. This was clear after 9/11, when the world learnt the lessons of surveillance systems and draconian national security laws.</p>
<h2>The impact would hit home</h2>
<p>Police in the west are already <a href="http://dronecenter.bard.edu/files/2017/04/CSD-Public-Safety-Drones-Web.pdf">deploying drones</a> for various purposes, including at <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/police-drones-to-monitor-crowds-at-footy-public-events-from-next-month-20190709-p525jf.html">sporting events in Australia</a>. Our defence force is buying Reaper MQ-9B drones because they are cleared for use in <a href="https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/mq-9b-sky-guardian-chosen-over-reaper">civilian airspace</a>.</p>
<p>We might be fine with <a href="https://wing.com/australia/canberra/">delivery drones in Canberra</a>, or disaster drones ferrying urgent medical supplies, but how would we feel if they were <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-50262650">indistinguishable</a> from drones piloted by police, the military or private security companies?</p>
<p>A team at the University of South Australia is currently designing a <a href="http://theleadsouthaustralia.com.au/industries/technology/pandemic-drone-could-detect-virus-symptoms-in-crowds/">“pandemic” drone</a> to detect virus symptoms such as fever and coughing from a distance. Valuable as that is now, this tool could easily be used to intrusively manage the public’s health after the crisis is over.</p>
<p>It can be difficult to see the long term impacts of choices made in an emergency. But now is the best time for policymakers to set limits on how drones an be used in public space. </p>
<p>They need to write sunset clauses into new laws so that surveillance and control systems are rolled back once the pandemic eases, and create accountability mechanisms to ensure oversight.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/134667/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Richardson receives funding from the Australian Research Council. </span></em></p>While ‘good drones’ have been valuable in this pandemic, using drones to embed new systems of surveillance could be a dangerous and slippery slope.Michael Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, UNSW SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1162572019-05-03T10:42:14Z2019-05-03T10:42:14ZDrones to deliver incessant buzzing noise, and packages<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/271856/original/file-20190430-136807-izn2za.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=156%2C131%2C5222%2C3544&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">It's going to get loud.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/young-man-closed-ears-119712346">Alexey Laputin/Shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>A sister company of Google, Alphabet’s Wing Aviation, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/04/23/716360818/faa-certifies-googles-wing-drone-delivery-company-to-operate-as-an-airline">just got federal approval</a> to start using drones for commercial delivery. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Prime-Air/b">Amazon’s own drone-delivery program</a> is ready to launch as well. As drones take flight, the world is about to get a lot louder – as if neighborhoods were filled with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html">leaf blowers</a>, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-09/noise-from-drone-delivery-service-divides-canberra-residents/10484044">lawn mowers</a> and <a href="https://www.pcmag.com/news/365635/noisy-wing-drones-are-being-quietly-redesigned">chainsaws</a>.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Are you ready for this?</span></figcaption>
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<p>Small recreational drones are fairly loud. Serious commercial drones are much louder. They have eight or more propellers (<a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/04/23/716360818/faa-certifies-googles-wing-drone-delivery-company-to-operate-as-an-airline">Alphabet’s Wing has 14</a>; <a href="https://blog.aboutamazon.com/transportation/another-new-frontier-for-prime-air">Amazon’s Octocopter has eight</a> spinning at <a href="https://youtu.be/InjxuXm5CJg?start=513">thousands of revolutions per minute</a>, physically beating the air to generate lift and movement. The heavier the load, the harder they have to work, the more air gets beaten – and the louder the sound. </p>
<p>Drones also make higher pitched buzzing sounds than helicopters, which have much lower frequencies because their larger rotors don’t need to spin as fast to generate the necessary power. Now imagine tens or even hundreds of drones buzzing around your neighborhood, delivering packages to homes and businesses. Next, imagine the <a href="https://slate.com/business/2016/06/on-demand-delivery-by-companies-like-amazon-and-uber-could-produce-a-traffic-nightmare.html">round-the-clock hives of aerial</a> activity that warehouses and distribution centers will become, in addition to their <a href="https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2017/04/cities-seek-deliverance-from-the-e-commerce-boom/523671/">existing burden on local roads</a>; Amazon recently ordered <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-orders-20-000-mercedes-benz-vans-for-new-delivery-service-1536157804">20,000 new vans</a>.</p>
<p>As an <a href="http://acousticecologylab.org">acoustic ecologist</a>, <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KeNbtNgAAAAJ&hl=en">I</a> <a href="https://theconversation.com/listening-to-nature-how-sound-can-help-us-understand-environmental-change-105794">monitor the sound of our environment</a> and how it changes. I am concerned that drones are taking to the air without a lot of thought for the ears of people on the ground. </p>
<p>Will there be a weight limit on delivery-drone payloads? Who will monitor the sound levels, and how? Should there be a curfew on hours of operation? There must be a reason companies don’t include the sound of the drone in advertising materials – and it’s probably not because they sound so nice.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">In this ad, the drone seems silent.</span></figcaption>
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<h2>Health and well-being</h2>
<p>Urban designers are often concerned about sound levels in neighborhoods. Wealthier suburbs, for instance, are always <a href="https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2003-40308">farther from big noise sources</a> like airports and highways. Existing noise-control laws are basically useless at <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/air_noise_pollution_socioeconomic_status_links_IR13_en.pdf">protecting people’s well-being</a>, general health <a href="https://www.citylab.com/equity/2015/11/city-noise-mental-health-traffic-study/417276/">or mental health</a>. Some wealthy neighborhoods even consider planting trees not just for the added greenery but because the <a href="https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/urban-regeneration-and-greenspace-partnership/greenspace-in-practice/benefits-of-greenspace/noise-abatement/">soft foliage absorbs sound</a>, making these communities even quieter and more peaceful.</p>
<p>Incessant mechanical buzzing doesn’t fit with anyone’s idea of a pleasant community. That’s what drones will bring, though. Even domestic drones can raise baseline sound pressure levels by <a href="https://youtu.be/V5DYre_EZKU?start=252">at least 20 decibels</a>; when each 6dB increase means <a href="http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-levelchange.htm">loudness doubles</a>, that means a single drone can make an area 8 to 12 times louder than it is now.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Drones turn a quiet day into something quite different.</span></figcaption>
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<p>It’s not just loudness. Drones have relatively small propellers, which don’t move much air, but they move it very rapidly. The amount of energy put into moving the air equates to its volume or loudness. The speed of the spinning equates to its pitch, or frequency. Refinements to propeller shapes can <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/1/16573820/dji-mavic-pro-platinum-drone-sound-noise">change the pitch</a>, but companies will only research noise reduction if their customers demand it.</p>
<p>Adding a payload to a drone means the propellers must put more energy into the air by spinning faster – making a louder and higher-pitched sound. The frequencies they generate are, in fact, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher%E2%80%93Munson_curves">the very frequencies people are most sensitive to</a>. Turning, or even fighting gusts of wind to stay on course, also requires more propeller energy at higher speeds. A <a href="https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2017-4051">NASA study</a> found that people find the specific sounds drones make to be particularly annoying.</p>
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<p>The amount of time a person is exposed to different sound levels matters, too. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration says workers exposed to <a href="https://www.osha.gov/Publications/laboratory/OSHAfactsheet-laboratory-safety-noise.pdf">85 decibels or louder for eight hours or more</a> may suffer hearing damage or loss. The Federal Aviation Administration says that residential areas should not have <a href="https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/policy_guidance/noise/history/">aircraft noise averaging above 65dB</a> in a 24-hour period.</p>
<h2>Ecological effects</h2>
<p>Without forethought, public outcry and regulation, the buzzing of drones may soon fill city and suburban skies – adding to the din in many places, and disturbing the peace of even those wealthy suburbs whose residents can afford the <a href="https://youtu.be/prhDrfUgpB0?t=130">convenience of rapid home delivery</a>. Even neighborhoods that have managed to avoid being under <a href="https://apnews.com/2c040a68d76a4ab5b7420c0681a860e8">airport flight paths</a> will find themselves <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/5995059/a-noisy-nuisance-drones-slammed-in-submissions-to-new-inquiry/">surrounded by the buzz</a>.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Coming to a community near you?</span></figcaption>
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<p>Public parks, designed to provide places for recreation, community gatherings and quiet contemplation, may no longer provide any escape from <a href="https://youtu.be/prhDrfUgpB0?start=204">the hum of daily life</a>.</p>
<p>Don’t forget about the birds, either. You might not be able to enjoy birdsong in the <a href="https://soundcloud.com/garthpaine/organ-pipe-soundscape">morning with your coffee</a>, but even worse, the <a href="https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2012/06/bird-calls-drowned-out-by-city-noise/">birds themselves might not be able to hear each other</a>, either. <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/3057041/city-birds-are-changing-their-songs-because-of-urban-noise">Bird calls are key to species’ survival</a>, letting them warn each other of danger – and find mates. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/271854/original/file-20190430-136807-we2iza.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Birds may feel like doing this to delivery drones – whether they’re trained birds or not.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/golden-eagle-aquila-chrysaetos-flying-white-728931613">Martin Mecnarowski/Shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Any home delivery service raises a great many questions about <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/">sustainability and the costs of consumption</a> in energy, material and human lives. Until now, though, those deliveries have been by car and truck over existing roads and are covered <a href="https://www.semasan.com/resources/exhaust-noise-laws-state">by ordinances on sound levels</a>. Adding drones will bring a third dimension to shipping – but also to the level of noise in the world.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/116257/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Garth Paine receives funding from ASU Herberger Institute for the Arts, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy and from private foundations not related to the content of this article. </span></em></p>Commercial and recreational drones are taking to the air. They’re very noisy, and neighborhoods everywhere could become awfully loud.Garth Paine, Associate Professor of Digital Sound and Interactive Media, Arizona State UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1147012019-04-11T10:42:07Z2019-04-11T10:42:07ZDon’t shoot! That drone overhead probably isn’t invading your privacy<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/267890/original/file-20190405-180017-jcyt63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C135%2C4121%2C2603&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Is this drone a threat?</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/drone-usage-private-property-protection-real-1109455850">ungvar/Shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The first commercial medical drones are taking flight in the U.S., <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/the-download/613255/the-first-commercial-drone-delivery-scheme-in-the-us-is-already-flying/">delivering blood samples and other medical specimens</a> from a clinic to a lab in North Carolina. Right now, they’re just on one hospital campus and not flying over private homes or businesses. But that’s coming soon. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ov4kMJoAAAAJ&hl=en">our research</a> about <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=KLxkNFQAAAAJ&hl=en">consumer perceptions</a> of aircraft, we’ve found that in general, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephenrice1/2019/02/04/eyes-in-the-sky-the-public-has-privacy-concerns-about-drones/#442295946984">people don’t want drones flying over their homes</a>. Helicopters and planes are less of a concern, because they’re usually so high and far away – and people who live near airports are <a href="https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/apl/noise_emissions/airport_aircraft_noise_issues/">more worried about noise</a> than being spied on.</p>
<p>People see drones, however, as different. They often carry video equipment and are sometimes hard to detect due to their small size. In addition, they can hover for long periods of time, whereas manned aircraft tend to move along quickly. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1139/juvs-2015-0031">Most people we’ve surveyed express some fear about drones</a> – or their operators – violating their privacy by <a href="https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/investigations/peeping-drones-spying-on-people-in-st-louis/63-548590075">hovering nearby</a> and <a href="https://www.thedrive.com/aerial/18752/woman-confronted-by-peeping-drone-outside-bedroom-window">potentially videotaping them</a>. That has <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2018/09/03/drone-gripes-mount-homeowners-complain-breached-privacy-annoyance/1117085002/">certainly</a> <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/national/florida-peeping-tom-uses-drone-spy-women-high-rise-police-say/hDUjd4fP7QhwkQo6ReNlpO/">happened</a>.</p>
<p>We have found that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1139/juvs-2017-0011">women are generally more concerned than men</a>, particularly when they assume that the drone can take photos or videos. Some people have been so concerned about drones – especially when they lack clear indication of who owns them or are afraid the government is spying on them – that <a href="https://www.robertreeveslaw.com/blog/shoot-drones/">they’ve shot down drones flying over their yards</a>. There are even some <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/nz7jj7/this-is-the-first-anti-drone-weapon-designed-for-use-in-the-united-states">companies developing anti-drone weapons</a> designed specifically for these situations.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DdxgJqbF6Vs?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Not yet available for public use: DroneDefender.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>So far, shooting down a drone <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/04/man-takes-drone-out-for-a-sunset-flight-drone-gets-shot-down/">has not been punished as harshly</a> as shooting at a manned aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration has tried to address some public concerns with <a href="https://www.uasjournal.org/sites/default/files/articles/UASJournal-Vol4-Issue1-ison-loffi-vance-wallace.pdf">rules governing personal drones</a> and <a href="https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=22615">commercial drone flights</a>. But if drone use is really ever going to take off – both privately and in businesses – the rules need to be a lot clearer for everyone. </p>
<h2>What are drones allowed to do?</h2>
<p>In most communities, there are not explicit rules on what drone operators are and aren’t allowed to do with their aircraft. The <a href="https://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=22615">FAA’s general rules</a> ban drones from flying more than 400 feet above the ground, or over people, or above public events. Operators also have to keep their drones in sight at all times.</p>
<p>Drones that are flying for legitimate reasons are usually going to follow a logical path associated with their purpose, like following a pipeline route, surveying property boundaries or examining construction sites. They may hover from time to time, to let operators get a better view of something, but they probably aren’t spying on you – unless they clearly violate reasonable expectations, like following you around a neighborhood or hovering right outside a bedroom window or above a person sunbathing in the yard.</p>
<p>Not every drone flying near your home is feeding video to a peeping Tom. It’s worth remembering that there are, in fact, legitimate reasons drones might be flying around near your home.</p>
<h2>Do you hear sirens?</h2>
<p><a href="https://uavcoach.com/police-drones/">Police agencies around the country use drones</a> to assist with documenting crime scenes, help with event-security planning or <a href="https://www.roboticsbusinessreview.com/unmanned/drones-assist-with-police-standoff-crime-scene-mapping/">assist officers with a standoff</a>. Even though these drones are government-owned and usually equipped with cameras, most likely they’re not trying to invade your privacy.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IJYxiJMYFuc?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Drones deliver lifesaving blood to patients in Rwanda.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Police, fire and medical services are very interested in using drones for rapid responses to emergencies. <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2019/01/18/drones-deliver-medical-supplies-united-states/">They can fly medicine and equipment</a> into areas where ambulances, and potentially even helicopters, cannot easily go. In <a href="http://fortune.com/2019/01/07/delivery-drones-rwanda/">Rwanda, drones can deliver a package of fresh blood</a> to anywhere in the western half of the country in less than an hour. </p>
<p>Drones can also <a href="https://theconversation.com/autonomous-drones-can-help-search-and-rescue-after-disasters-109760">help responders plan rescue efforts</a>, identifying areas hit hardest and finding victims in need of aid. People in the affected area can even communicate with drone operators by holding up signs for the cameras. </p>
<h2>Is a neighbor’s house for sale?</h2>
<p>When listing a home for sale, real estate agents typically arrange for a professional to photograph the home, which helps showcase it to potential buyers. Some agents – for some properties, like larger estates – may want to include aerial photos of the house and land. In the past, this was usually done from a helicopter, at the cost of several hundred dollars.</p>
<p>Now, though, it’s cheaper and faster to <a href="http://www.droneguru.net/using-drones-for-real-estate-photography/">fly a small drone above the property</a>. To get the best views, the drone may need to fly off to one side, potentially hovering over a property next door. But if used legitimately for real estate purposes, the cameras are pointed toward the house for sale – not toward the neighbor’s windows.</p>
<h2>Is there construction nearby?</h2>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/267891/original/file-20190405-180010-5ekjmx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">At times, drones can visit high places on construction sites more easily than people.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/drone-operated-by-construction-worker-on-1038791134">Dmitry Kalinovsky/Shutterstock.com</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://blog.dronedeploy.com/the-rise-of-drones-in-construction-5357b69942fa">Construction companies sometimes use drones</a> to make sure employees are working safely and using tools properly. Drones can also inspect work in high areas that are hard to reach, like roofing details. In some parts of the country, builders are putting up huge suburban developments and <a href="https://blog.dronedeploy.com/the-rise-of-drones-in-construction-5357b69942fa">keeping an eye on everything</a> with drones. When they fly from one building site to another, they might pass over finished homes that are already occupied, on their way to check out the work at neighboring properties.</p>
<h2>Do young kids live in your neighborhood?</h2>
<p>Parents may also want to remotely monitor their children at nearby properties like parks. Some parents who may have been reluctant to let their kids explore the neighborhood are finding comfort with <a href="https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/Modern-Parenthood/2012/1203/Helicopter-parent-Techy-dad-builds-drone-to-hover-over-kid">drones to help them keep watch</a>. Some schools are also using <a href="https://www.nfhs.org/articles/legal-issues-related-to-use-of-drones-in-high-school-sports/">drones to keep an eye on kids during recess and sports</a> activities.</p>
<h2>Are you expecting a package?</h2>
<p>Delivery drones aren’t yet common, though they’re being tested in various places around the world. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delivery-companies-embracing-drone-technology-2018-6">Many companies want to use them to deliver packages</a>, pizza, medications and other items. Within a few years, drones may be buzzing up and down local streets, ferrying all sorts of items to and from homes and businesses. This may be annoying at first, but every drone that goes by means one less car on the road – and less pollution, less traffic congestion and safer streets for cyclists, pedestrians and your children.</p>
<h2>One’s overhead right now – what to do?</h2>
<p>There are plenty of other perfectly innocent and legal reasons a drone might fly low over your home or yard. Recently, a man was <a href="https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2019/02/24/arrest-shooting-drone-missing-dog/">arrested for shooting down a drone</a> that was being used by members of a community group to search for a missing dog. </p>
<p>If you suspect someone is using a drone to spy on you, you should know that under federal law, it is <a href="https://www.popsci.com/it-is-federal-crime-to-shoot-down-drone-says-faa">illegal to grab a gun and shoot it down</a>, even if the drone’s operator is <a href="https://www.dorsey.com/newsresources/publications/client-alerts/2017/09/the-legality-of-downing-a-drone">violating state laws</a> about where and how they can fly. <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2504325">Some legal experts argue that self-defense</a> should be a legitimate reason, but this is a gray area. So before reaching for ammunition, think about staying out of trouble.</p>
<p>If you’re worried the drone might be invading your privacy, or about to do so, you should be able to spot the operator, because they have to be able to see their drone. If you can get a photo of the drone, the police should be able to track down the operator because most <a href="https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/">drones must be registered with the FAA</a> and clearly marked with their registration number.</p>
<p>And of course, if you feel under immediate threat, call 911.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/114701/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Stephen Rice has received funding from the United States Air Force and the FAA. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mattie Milner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Nobody has yet figured out what the rules are for drones or what constitutes ‘good manners’ for drone operators. But there are legitimate reasons a drone might be near your home.Stephen Rice, Associate Professor of Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityMattie Milner, Ph.D. Candidate in Human Factors, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/941472018-04-02T18:59:07Z2018-04-02T18:59:07ZWill Amazon be your next bank and health insurance?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/212831/original/file-20180402-189801-800vup.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C162%2C3500%2C1886&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Amazon founder Jeff Besos.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/samchurchill/6927955020/in/photolist-byczEm-4x4zhh-49zDrd-foChCZ-fpwE5Y-GXvbZ-GQEoL-exQZ9-FaR6g-AoqF-dEMn5a-8MpFbB-JUbAJa-56PcCG-fyGpPJ-GQC7R-GQEw3-UZz3nW-fvf9tL-CXEft-fNifdn-c7cgmE-c7cgaJ-px3ycA-4GH29q-4GH2iN-GY5Rj-4GLVHG-DkoV-eCS3sQ-c7ckwo-9cUXQ-s3etE-c7cc67-gpKR8-c5otZ9-ardYMw-c5osD7-dxUL1m-c7ci9J-GSQt1-c7cff1-zYEy-c5otNs-FvTFit-c5osry-ESAoM-c5oso9-c5osjw-c7ckNm">Sam Churchill/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure><blockquote>
<p>“One of Mr. Rockefeller’s most impressive characteristics is patience.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This 1902 assertion by pioneering journalist Ida Tarbell described <a href="https://www.poynter.org/news/today-media-history-ida-tarbells-1902-1904-investigative-series-corruption-standard-oil">John D. Rockefeller</a>, one of the wealthiest men in the world in the early 20th century.</p>
<p>Today, it could as easily be used to describe Jeffrey Preston Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon, and <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/09/technology/jeff-bezos-richest/index.html">currently the richest man on Earth</a>. Bezos had to wait 14 years to see the first positive quarterly result of his company. In another testament to his long-term vision, he recently invested $42 million in the construction of a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.fr/us/everything-you-need-to-know-about-jeff-bezos-amazing-10000-year-clock-2013-8">10,000-year clock</a>. This 150-meter tall apparatus is being built within a mountain in Texas. It tells time in terms of decades and centuries rather than seconds and minutes, and its “cuckoo” mechanism will be activated only once a year. Bezos believes this gigantic endeavour – based on a prototype designed by the <a href="http://longnow.org/clock/">Long Now Foundation</a> – should be a timeless reminder to our species (as well as future civilizations) that humanity should nurture long-term ambitions.</p>
<p>“Relentless” is another way to describe Bezos. This was one of the names he considered for his online book-selling service back in 1997 (in fact, the URL relentless.com is still owned by Amazon and redirects to its main website to this day). His business objectives relentlessly grew from being the world’s largest bookseller, to becoming the “everything store” and then branching out to create the world’s greatest cloud service provider, with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Web_Services">Amazon Web Services</a> (providing data storage to clients ranging from NASA to Netflix). Not to mention the founding of Blue Origin, a spaceflight services company whose Latin motto “Gradatim Ferociter” means “Step by step, ferociously”. In 2013 Bezos shocked the media world by snapping up the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/aug/05/washington-post-sold-jeff-bezos-amazon"><em>Washington Post</em></a> for $250 million, roughly 1% of his wealth at the time, $22 billion. (He’s now up to $106 billion.)</p>
<p>Last year, Amazon raised many eyebrows by crossing into physical distribution territory with the <a href="https://theconversation.com/with-its-purchase-of-whole-foods-is-amazons-goal-to-revolutionise-food-distribution-93161">acquisition of Whole Foods Market</a> and its 473 stores in North America and the United Kingdom. This move made the shares of Walmart and other supermarket chains plummet, while raising Amazon’s own stock valuation by $15.6 billion. After the announcement of the deal, the rise in Amazon share prices alone was enough to cover the $13.7 billion cost of acquiring Whole Foods.</p>
<p>More recently, Amazon announced that it would partner with other giants like Berkshire Hathaway and JPMorgan to implement a <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2018/02/27/news/companies/amazon-health-care/index.html">health care solution for their combined 840,000 employees</a>. Is that the first stage of a road-map to offer health insurance worldwide? Finally, a few weeks ago, we learned that Amazon is in talks with large banks such as JPMorgan Chase to create a checking-account-like service.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/212614/original/file-20180329-189795-2t80s7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/212614/original/file-20180329-189795-2t80s7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=316&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212614/original/file-20180329-189795-2t80s7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=316&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212614/original/file-20180329-189795-2t80s7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=316&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212614/original/file-20180329-189795-2t80s7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212614/original/file-20180329-189795-2t80s7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212614/original/file-20180329-189795-2t80s7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The 10,000 year clock being built by Jeff Bezos inside a mountain in Texas.</span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>How big is too big?</h2>
<p>As Amazon competes with Apple for the record of becoming the <a href="https://www.investors.com/news/technology/amazon-may-beat-apple-on-path-to-reaching-1-trillion-in-value/">first company in history to be valued at $1 trillion</a>, several experts start to question when antitrust regulation should step in to stop its relentless growth. In a brilliant research note published in the <em>Yale Law Journal</em>, Lina M. Khan argues that current US antitrust laws based on the principle of “consumer welfare” are ill-prepared to deal with what she calls the Amazon paradox: contrary to what antitrust theory predicts, Amazon does not raise its prices in spite of its growing dominance. She cites two reasons for the rationality of everlasting predatory pricing by online e-commerce platforms:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Pursuing growth over profits has been historically rewarded by investors, who clearly believe in Bezos’ long-term vision.</p></li>
<li><p>Thanks to their dominant size and investor’s faith, Amazon can integrate across distinct business lines (retailer, marketplace, cloud service provider) to create the very infrastructure upon which its rivals came to depend. If, for instance, Amazon notices through its powerful data analytics that one new product category is growing, it can launch its own brand of the same product and rank it higher in its search results, effectively driving traffic and sales away from the newcomers.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Yet whenever claims of monopolistic practices are levered against it, Amazon quickly points out that <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306678">e-commerce represents less than 10% of brick-and-mortar sales</a>. Furthermore, it claims that Walmart sales alone – over $500 billion in 2017 – are almost three times bigger than Amazon’s. Add to this the fact that prices are kept low at Amazon and you can dismiss any charge of Amazon abusing its dominant position.</p>
<p>These arguments miss the main point raised by Khan in her “Amazon Paradox” note: Amazon should not be persecuted for antitrust based on consumer welfare criteria or overall retail market share dominance. Rather, more modern antitrust laws should focus on the methods online platforms the size of Amazon can use to inhibit competition. These methods include predatory pricing based on real-time analysis of marketplace competitors and vertical integration of logistics. Thanks to Amazon’s highly complementary business models, it has created a physical and online infrastructure empire that is quickly becoming the only competitive way to satisfy the growing need of <a href="https://theconversation.com/delivery-drones-swooping-down-to-prey-on-our-self-control-77994">instant gratification by online shoppers</a>. Lured by the lock-in mechanisms built into the “Prime” subscription services (which offers free next-day delivery and video streaming to subscribers), consumers cannot help but be ecstatic with this online shopping paradise. One quickly understands why Amazon Prime now captures 46% of online shoppers in the US and why the barriers to entry are becoming increasingly insurmountable to upstarts in this field.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/212615/original/file-20180329-189798-1vo6vvl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/212615/original/file-20180329-189798-1vo6vvl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212615/original/file-20180329-189798-1vo6vvl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212615/original/file-20180329-189798-1vo6vvl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212615/original/file-20180329-189798-1vo6vvl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212615/original/file-20180329-189798-1vo6vvl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212615/original/file-20180329-189798-1vo6vvl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">An undercover investigation reveals difficult working conditions at Amazon.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Sunday Mirror</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>The price of instant gratification</h2>
<p>Amazon definitely takes its “customer-centric” culture seriously. Few consumers are left unmoved by the killer value proposition it offers: a convenient, fast and reliable way of buying almost anything online. While customers have somewhat fallen out love with other tech giants like Apple and Google – both of whom recently plunged from 2nd and 3rd places to 29th and 28th places in the <a href="https://theharrispoll.com/reputation-quotient/">annual “Reputation Quotient” list by the Harris Poll</a> – Amazon has remained the first brand in the preference of US consumers for the past five years (with exception of 2015).</p>
<p>Behind stage, this constant battle to keep customers happy does come at a cost to Amazon employees, though. Cases of burnout or exhaustion have been documented in Amazon’s fulfilling centres, with workers reportedly falling asleep standing up during 55-hour-a-week marathons ahead of big events like Christmas or Black Friday. Or consider the story of a young British man whose night shifts in an Amazon warehouse working alongside robots <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/money/2018/jan/20/amazon-worker-warehouse">almost destroyed his social life and his psychic health</a> – all for a princely salary of £18,000 ($25,262) a year.</p>
<p>With no visible sense of irony, Amazon has recently produced a “Prime Original” TV series called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Philip-K-Dicks-Electric-Dreams/dp/B075NTXMN9"><em>Electric Dreams</em></a> that portrays dystopic techno-futures envisioned by Philip K. Dick. In the second episode, called <a href="https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2018/01/16/25716031/autofac-an-episode-from-new-amazon-series-electric-dreams-is-about-how-to-destroy-amazon">“Autofac”</a>, they describe a post-apocalyptic world in which the last survivors of the human race are besieged by robot-driven factories that ignore the end of the world and keep pumping out drone-delivered boxes of products no one needs.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/212832/original/file-20180402-189827-15fgofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/212832/original/file-20180402-189827-15fgofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212832/original/file-20180402-189827-15fgofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212832/original/file-20180402-189827-15fgofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=332&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212832/original/file-20180402-189827-15fgofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=418&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212832/original/file-20180402-189827-15fgofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=418&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/212832/original/file-20180402-189827-15fgofv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=418&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Amazon’s own vision of the future in their new TV series <em>Electric Dreams</em>: a post-apocalyptic world ruled by drones and robots.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Antitrust laws need to evolve to catch up with 21st-century business practices in order to create a healthier competitive environment in the e-commerce sphere. This is no longer about saving the mom-and-pop stores in main street or keeping brick-and-mortar bookstores from disappearing: it is about making sure that future innovative players can thrive online without having to use the monopolistic infrastructure of Amazon or be confronted with their anti-competitive practices. Hopefully such measures will also limit the drive for lowering prices at all costs, with all the social and environmental consequences this race to the bottom entails.</p>
<p>In 1911, Rockefeller’s Standard Oil was broken up in 34 companies by the Sherman Antitrust act, separating them into distinctive activities of oil producing, transporting, refining and marketing. If “data is the new oil”, monopolistic data-driven platforms of today should maybe suffer the same fate in the name of competition, innovation and employee well-being.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/94147/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Marcos Lima ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.</span></em></p>How Jeff Bezos is plotting to take over the world – and why Amazon’s dominance in e-commerce could be a threat to innovation.Marcos Lima, Head of the Marketing Innovation and Distribution Program at EMLV, Pôle Léonard de VinciLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/931612018-03-21T20:39:51Z2018-03-21T20:39:51ZWith its purchase of Whole Foods, is Amazon’s goal to revolutionise food distribution?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/209713/original/file-20180309-30972-18n6ef1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C191%2C2000%2C1035&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Fruit and vegetables department at Whole Foods Market.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.Flickr.com/photos/herry/929878550/in/photolist-oAMbXh-oCMkr5-omk3K2-oAMcuE-gMqXY1-cyG1q9-2q6nZV-2qaSuN-SNZLPW-5Mnk41-SSzN7P-RKesG2-RCJ8d8-RA6Cky-is6Y5-84EKvo-RSwwns-UXnbi7-vFnjU9-vFnma5-eguafc-fwDVTU-Ed22H-2jdi3J-ppPDVo-a6rxHV-72HfqR-9RFUDL-AxHo3-cbBTe9-ShK9UG-a8ZtUa-9RFUtJ-ShPtHq-cUchaS-84BEHD-RMTQFK-SSEfNX-atMLeP-gCWxZy-gCWsAC-QGhUPL-9RFUv7-5MnibA-2C78N1-2nEkS-84BD5D-8EVRmL-3Va8EA-kCC8vX/">Herry Lawford/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>On March 20, 2018, Amazon became the second most valuable company in the world, with a market capitalization exceeding $768 billion. The US retailing giant made key investments in 2017, including an offer to buy the Whole Foods Market organic grocery chain at $42 per share, or a total of <a href="http://bit.ly/2sSHihO">$13.7 billion</a>. Amazon has gained almost $19 billion in market capitalization shortly after the announcement, and the acquisition was finalized in August 2017. So what are the motivations behind this acquisition? Who will be the winners and losers?</p>
<h2>Amazon continues its foray into the food industry</h2>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175571/original/file-20170626-32766-n239qi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">At the Amazon headquarters in South Lake Union, Seattle.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cheukiecfu/5252226771/">Cheuk-man Kong/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">CC BY-NC-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The second “A” in the acronym of US web giants, GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft), Amazon realized $178 billion in sales <a href="http://services.corporate-ir.net/SEC.Enhanced/SecCapsule.aspx?c=97664&fid=15414896">at the end of 2017</a> versus $136 billion <a href="http://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReports/PDF/Nasdaq_AMZN_2016.pdf">at the end of December 2016</a>. The company employs 341,400 people and has built its reputation on the distribution of music, books and cultural content. The online retailer makes every effort to optimise its selection of items, their prices and the speed of delivery, including its well-known “Prime” service, and is exploring the possibility of <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2017/06/23/technology/amazon-drone-beehives/index.html">delivery by drone</a>.</p>
<p>The company made his first steps into the food industry in 2008 with the launch of AmazonFresh in the United States. For a monthly fee, customers can order fruit or vegetables online for home delivery. The service was subsequently expanded to London and Boston in 2016, and Tokyo, Berlin, Potsdam and Denver in 2017. Amazon clearly wants to expand its presence in food distribution, a market valued at <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/06/22/amazon-buying-whole-foods-disruption/">$800 billion</a> according to <em>Fortune</em>.</p>
<p>As the online demand for food has yet to be a big success, Amazon has turned toward a multi-channel offering, expanding from e-commerce to investing in brick-and-mortar stores. A particularly innovative example is AmazonGo. Using artificial intelligence and <a href="http://www.centrenational-rfid.com/definition-de-la-rfid-article-71-fr-ruid-17.html">RFID</a> – what Amazon has dubbed the “just walk out technology” – customers with the AmazonGo application simply enter one of the stores store and select the items they wish to buy. Every time a product is taken, it’s automatically added to the customer’s personal Amazon account – no more need to wait in line or go through a physical checkout.</p>
<p>The first AmazonGo store opened in Seattle in January 2018, and if the initiative proves successful, Amazon plans to open 2,000 in the United States and then Australia. A revolutionary new way of shopping? Certainly, but it also raises questions. What would happen to cashiers’ jobs were this system were widespread? Technical snags have also slowed Amazon down, as revealed in a <em>Fortune</em> article, <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/03/28/amazon-go-cashier-free-store/">“Amazon’s Cashier-Free Store Might Be Easy to Break”</a> – the technology is not currently sophisticated enough to manage more than 20 customers at a time. So this may be one of the reasons why Amazon is stepping up its multichannel offering by turning to Whole Foods.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175572/original/file-20170626-309-34l090.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Whole Foods Market in West Hartford, Connecticut.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jeepersmedia/14833428466/in/photolist-oAMbXh-oCMkr5-omk3K2-oAMcuE-gMqXY1-cyG1q9-2q6nZV-2qaSuN-SNZLPW-5Mnk41-SSzN7P-RKesG2-RCJ8d8-RA6Cky-is6Y5-84EKvo-RSwwns-UXnbi7-vFnjU9-vFnma5-eguafc-fwDVTU-Ed22H-2jdi3J-ppPDVo-a6rxHV-72HfqR-9RFUDL-AxHo3-cbBTe9-ShK9UG-a8ZtUa-9RFUtJ-ShPtHq-cUchaS-84BEHD-RMTQFK-SSEfNX-atMLeP-gCWxZy-gCWsAC-QGhUPL-9RFUv7-5MnibA-2C78N1-2nEkS-84BD5D-8EVRmL-3Va8EA-kCC8vX/">Mike Mozart/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>What is Whole Foods Market?</h2>
<p>A leader in the distribution of natural and organic food products in the United States, Whole Foods Market is the first US-certified organic distributor. The group generated revenues of $15.7 billion at the end of September 2016, $1 billion in operating cash and had a <a href="http://bit.ly/2u7uLqp">return on invested capital of 12.7%</a>.</p>
<p>Founded in 1978, the first Whole Foods Market store opened in 1980 in Austin, Texas. At the end of September 2016 the chain had 456 stores – 436 in the United States, 11 in Canada and 9 in the United Kingdom – and employs 87,000 people. Whole Foods pays particular attention to the source and quality of its products (natural and organic), its staff and is involved in the local community.</p>
<p>In fiscal year 2016, Whole Foods Market launched a store format called 365. With the goal of offering the best value for money through carefully selected products. The 365 stores have a simplified operational model, with central purchases and automatic inventory replenishments.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175596/original/file-20170626-32751-fhksbj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Cereal aisle at a Whole Foods Market.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gotovan/26214281090/in/album-72157663191979302/">GoToVan/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Why did Amazon buy Whole Foods market?</h2>
<p>The acquisition of Whole Foods by Amazon makes it possible to combine two leading brands, both focused on a customer-centred approach. Partnering with Whole Foods will allow Amazon to expand its multichannel offering and further enhance the customer experience. The potential for development is enormous because Whole Foods Market is mainly present in the United States today, but the concept could be extended to other countries. Lastly, Amazon is now confronted with the challenge of seasonality: 33% of annual sales are made in the fourth quarter of the calendar year. Diversification into food would help to smooth out its cash flows.</p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=372&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=372&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=372&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=468&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=468&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175599/original/file-20170626-304-ibqoop.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=468&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Fall specials at a store in Washington, D.C.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/perspective/15551992422/in/photolist-pGh2wo-Dwfhew-fUe4BF-ndqr3H-ay3Hqk-rhV9Eu-ShUomy-75qwdj-a6rxHV-uXFeTi-6vD8Vp-fviFmy-pG9eii-gCWFan-fv4nnF-duXApb-RW9gh6-fv4nTc-pGcGEr-AxHo3-b6p5vT-fv4nAv-8xeMW-ndr2d5-duXABL-gCWDcp-9RFUA1-jkjdyg-8kjSKr-8HMUDE-ocYkV7-9NELeJ-duRo9P-ixj2HW-nbo2JA-b6p5tD-b6p5Bp-9RFUCC-jR9gc-duSuQc-ppHe9F-oKqwTV-t8fM4K-a6rxLg-ndqyvP-7Edzt-QJQ5uH-SCTkCm-6Bp8Pg-fviFiY">Elvert Barnes/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Nonetheless, the acquisition raises some important questions. The first is employment, because Whole Foods places considerable importance on its employees. It has been considered one of the top 100 US companies to work for 20 years, according to <em>Fortune</em> magazine. As at September 25, 2016, Whole Foods Market has approximately $3.5 billion in fixed assets (stores, leasehold improvements, etc.) on the balance sheet and $1 billion in long-term leases for some other stores. In the foreseeable future, will Amazon keep all the Whole Foods brick-and-mortar stores, and all the employees who work there?</p>
<p>The second question concerns the pricing policy and the possible divergences between Amazon and Whole Foods. The organic chain adopts rather high prices – generally 10% to 30% more than its direct competitors – and has sometimes been criticized on this aspect. It is one of the reasons why the group has launched the 365 stores. Amazon, on the other hand, is anxious to offer competitive prices. Will Amazon offer products with higher prices or will Whole Foods reduce its prices?</p>
<p>The third question concerns the digital investments Whole Foods Market has already made and is continuing, for example, with the introduction of <a href="http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7859-emv-technology-small-businesses.html">EMV</a> (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) technology at the point of sale and the distribution of digital discount coupons.</p>
<p>Finally, what will happen to the partnership that Whole Foods Market has formed with <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-23/whole-foods-invests-in-instacart-at-2014-valuation">Instacart</a>, the start-up created in 2012 (by a former employee of Amazon), which manages the deliveries of Whole Foods Market and in which Whole Foods has also taken a financial stake?</p>
<h2>Who are the winners and the losers?</h2>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175602/original/file-20170626-315-h3j52g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Amazon headquarters in Seattle, Washington.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kiewic/30676339365/in/photolist-NJLfWR-UhFyXV-A8zQK-4sdTYD-aYVgYr-UBX7di-5sgQLy-aSUHK4-qk1KCP-o64eZo-o7WpHK-8y3jL7-K6xvN4-reu1ZC-9Xni9-K6xvHe-9Xnjp-8Wmvss-qZfR6d-qZmPSD-9XngJ-rgMfSF-nNELEk-rgHUC5-rdvkiW-rgMpdi-nmE1x6-rgHThu-9Xneo-UhFwTz-rgHLpm-qZfFDs-qZmLNx-qjNHhS-2Xopq5-o47L7C-2XiYk8-2XiYDZ-qZfWoN-rgFdTZ-rgHX7U-nB6MGj-rgF1GV-qjNGSU-qk1Tev-qk1Kb6-qZmAUe-qZmTgx-qjNBAG-qZmNBn">Kiewic/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The big winner is of course Amazon. The Seattle group should not have difficulty absorbing Whole Foods, whose purchase price seems fairly reasonable in terms of its turnover: almost $16 billion at the end of September 2016. The group expects its sales to grow by 2.5% to 4.5% in 2017, with operating profit representing 8% of sales while maintaining a <a href="http://s21.q4cdn.com/118642233/files/doc_financials/2016/Annual/2016-WFM-Annual-Report.pdf">return on investment</a> target of at least 11%.</p>
<p>Conversely, the main players in distribution seem less solid. Even Walmart, the world’s largest distributor with nearly $486 billion in sales, saw its market capitalization fall by $12.8 billion, a 5.4% drop between the June 15, 2017 ($237.8 billion) and June 23, 2017 ($225 billion).</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://fortune.com/2017/06/22/amazon-buying-whole-foods-disruption/"><em>Fortune</em></a>, within 24 hours of the initial announcement, shares in Walmart dropped 4.7%, Target 5.1% and Kroger 9.2%, while Amazon increased by 2.4%. It remains to be seen whether this drop is only momentary. As indicated by CNBC in the article <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/06/21/dont-worry-wal-mart-amazon-buying-whole-foods-is-just-a-drop-in-the-bucket.html">“No worries for Wal-Mart, Amazon buying Whole Foods is only a drop in the bucket”</a>, this seems probable given the high share of the market held by Wal-Mart:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>“Wal-Mart controls the largest share of the US food market with about 14.5% of total sales and Whole Foods Market and Amazon will stay smaller with Whole Foods controlling 1.2 % of market share and Amazon 0.2% of market share in food.”</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>A changing market</h2>
<p>In any case, this reinforcement of Amazon in food will only accentuate trends already noticed at the level of consumers who leave the hypermarkets for local businesses and increase their online purchases.</p>
<p>In the United Kingdom, Tesco, the UK’s largest distributor and private employer, is still struggling to regain its customers. The latter now focus on convenience stores with smaller daily baskets and supplement them with online purchases. This trend is not new, as at the end of February 2015, combined with a hard-fought price struggle by the “hard discounters” Aldi, Asda and Lidl, Tesco had published a historic loss of 5.7 billion pounds (almost 7 billion euros). J. Sainsbury and Marks & Spencer also suffer from the same pressures and their financial results have been disappointing. Tesco posted a loss of 40 million pounds at the end of February 2017, but its turnover has fallen by 9.75% since February 2015.</p>
<p>In France, customers are also abandoning “hypermarkets”. French retailers like Auchan, Leclerc, Carrefour and Monoprix are adapting their product offerings and changing the formats of their stores to deal with profound changes in consumption patterns. Changes very well described in the video above with the phenomenon of <em>slow life</em> : consume less, but better.</p>
<p>Beyond the efforts already made by these French retailers, they will have to further strengthen their online presence and invest heavily in high-performance information systems and data analytics. A trend probably anticipated by Carrefour with the appointment of Alexandre Bompard, who had successfully led the digital shift of Fnac.com to become the third largest French e-commerce retailer behind Amazon and Cdiscount.</p>
<p>On January 23, 2018 Carrefour unveiled its <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180122006748/en/%22Carrefour-2022%22-New-Ambition-Group">transformation plan for 2022</a>. In addition to a voluntary departure plan of 2,400 people for France, it announced massive investments in digital of 2.8 billion euros by 2022, a target of 5 billion euros in sales in food e-commerce by 2022 as well as a target of 5 billion euros in organic sales in 2022 (from 1.3 billion euros currently).</p>
<h2>Amazon’s strategy in food</h2>
<p>Amazon has already revolutionized the distribution of music and books – will it also revolutionize food distribution? The group has efficient logistics platforms and has invested heavily in its information systems and merchant sites since 2012. It is also continuing the development of the “just walk out technology” of AmazonGo stores.</p>
<p>The acquisition of Whole Foods is thus not good news for large distributors. The US giants have all seen their market capitalization falling in recent days. European distributors are also concerned by these new modes of online consumption and the need for a multi-channel offering. In France, major distributors are lagging behind in e-commerce and the arrival of Amazon as a new competitor as well as that of Costco on the French market since June 22, 2017 only make the challenges even more important. The food distribution industry is a low-margin industry and therefore the search for efficiency and economies of scale are key elements.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/175610/original/file-20170626-321-qiemd1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Vegetable section in a Whole Foods Market in London.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bellissima_italia/4635406031/in/photolist-84BEHD-84BD5D-84EH3d-84EGgL-6L793u-84BCkt-84EM1y-84BzWa-2qb48G-9ajjwJ-GK3LKf-6L2Ypi-2jdi3J-FRKmys-gMqXY1-cyG1q9-7Q635y-dZ6PwL-SNZLPW-FRKo3Q-8DonmZ-937Se9-UXnbi7-2q6nZV-SSzN7P-RKesG2-vFnjU9-oAMbXh-6L78QY-vFnma5-6u1pyb-9mbrQ6-aqUZEP-aqUZMi-aqUZ9v-aqUZgT-aqUYBk-aqUZqX-aqUYJ6-aqUYvM-2qaSuN-7X6vLf-is6Y5-oCMkr5-RCJ8d8-RA6Cky-omk3K2-RSwwns-GMfgm8-fwDVTU">Yvon/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Even though today many consumers are still in the store to choose their fruits and vegetables (and especially in France), these habits may well change in the next 25 years. Amazon, which has often been a trendsetter, will only facilitate the use of e-commerce and may well have a significant impact on food distribution if it does not change.</p>
<p>Amazon is becoming so big and financially powerful that it can afford price cuts, a model that may not be sustainable for other food retailers. After including Whole Foods Market aggregate net sales of $5.8 billion since the acquisition in August 2017, Amazon reported record results for 2017 with net sales amounting to $177.9 billion (up 30,8%) and a net profit reaching $3 billion. The American giant is even targeting the French market. Reuters announced on February 28 that French retailer Systeme U is discussing a <a href="https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-france-amazon/french-retailer-systeme-u-discussing-supply-deal-with-amazon-idUKKCN1GC1HN">possible grocery-supply deal with Amazon</a>.</p>
<p>With almost $31 billion in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, Amazon has the ability to perform more acquisitions in the future and benefits from a strong bargaining power. It seems that Amazon is indeed aiming at becoming a key player in the food distribution at a worldwide level.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/93161/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Isabelle Chaboud ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.</span></em></p>In 2017 the US retail giant Amazon spent nearly $14 billion to acquire the Whole Foods Market grocery chain. What are the motivations behind this acquisition and who will be the winners and losers?Isabelle Chaboud, Professeur associé d’analyse financière, d’audit et de risk management, Grenoble École de Management (GEM)Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/779942017-05-21T19:49:29Z2017-05-21T19:49:29ZDelivery drones: swooping down to prey on our self-control<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/169962/original/file-20170518-12257-tlfh56.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">A prototype Amazon delivery drone.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01//112715/image-2._CR0,8,1340,762_.jpg">Amazon.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>On July 25, 2016, while countries including the United States were still <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/21/amazon-google-drone-delivery-new-faa-regulations-obama">expressing regulatory misgivings</a>, the British government graciously gave <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2188074">Amazon.com access to the UK’s airspace</a>. The stated goal was to explore the practical issues involved in delivering parcels using “unmanned aerial vehicles” – more commonly known as drones. Less than five months later, on December 7, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/14/amazon-claims-first-successful-prime-air-drone-delivery">history was made</a>: a man in Cambridge, England, made an online purchase of an Amazon Fire TV and a bag of popcorn. Within thirteen minutes a fully autonomous drone carrying both items arrived at his home. While it may not sound like much, this marks the beginning of a transformation, not just of our skies, but also of our ability to make informed consumer choices.</p>
<p>This was the first delivery from Amazon’s Prime Air, which aims to get packages to customers in less than 30 minutes using drones. It’s currently in the early stages of development, but over the next few months Amazon hope to make it available to hundreds of customers within the Cambridge area. Given the speed of their progress, it is not difficult to imagine, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXo_d6tNWuY">in the not-too-distant future</a>, fleets of automated drones delivering parcels to the grateful hands of thousands of customers all over the UK.</p>
<h2>Drones far and wide</h2>
<p>So what is holding back other countries from allowing delivery drones in their airspace? Is the UK the only country progressive and generous enough to loosen their regulations so that we consumers can be spared the misery of having to wait for more than 30 minutes to receive our purchases? Other than the obvious safety concerns (having swarms of automated drones flying over populated areas), labour concerns (the number of drivers’ jobs that would be lost), or environmental concerns (threats to local wildlife, noise pollution), delivery drones are a great idea, right?</p>
<p>Even if these many issues could somehow be addressed, looking at the impact of delivery drones from a human behavioural perspective, I would put forward another troubling concern.</p>
<p>This relates to how our brains perceive time as a cost and the effect that this has on our choices. As much as we like to think the opposite, our choices, especially the consumer ones, are not completely our own. In reality they’re heavily influenced by factors that we are often completely unaware of. Our brains, as choice-making computers, are constantly seeking a path of least resistance. As a result, time and effort are computed as costs that diminish the <a href="http://web.stanford.edu/%7Eknutson/bad/kable07.pdf">subjective value of prospective rewards</a>. Neuroimaging techniques can actually track how this computation of time as a cost <a href="http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.335.150&rep=rep1&type=pdf">affects the brain’s valuation of a reward</a>, such as a chocolate bar. The signals emitted by these computations can even be <a href="http://scholar.harvard.edu/files/laibson/files/time_discounting_for_primary_rewards.pdf">measured and used to predict people’s choices</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=729&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=729&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=729&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=915&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=915&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/169963/original/file-20170518-12231-1965ueg.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=915&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">How subjective value diminishes with time and where this computation takes place in the brain for different individuals.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Kable & Glimcher, 2007</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In the natural world, preference for immediate payoffs is an <a href="http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1518&context=psychfacpub">adaptive and efficient strategy</a>. For instance, a monkey might value one banana more highly than two because the single banana can be eaten immediately and two would require a waiting period. This is ecologically rational in an environment in which food is scarce. Thus, monkeys are naturally inclined to be impulsive and prefer immediate rewards even if the long-term alternative might, to us at least, seem more reasonable.</p>
<p>Despite the richness of resources in much of modern society, humans have not yet shaken off this same predilection for immediate gratification. And whether deliberate or not, the world we live in is increasingly set up to exploit our behavioural hard-wiring.</p>
<h2>The dark side of instant gratification</h2>
<p>A classic example is the cigarette. Its design exploits the huge power that the immediacy of reward delivery has on the way that our brains compute value. Much of its effectiveness in cultivating addiction lies in its ability to efficiently deliver nicotine, a powerful reward, just an instant after its use. In today’s world, these kinds of super-rapid and accessible reward-delivery systems are commonplace – <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-talking-dead-how-personality-drives-smartphone-addiction-62411">smartphones are a more recent example</a>. With the increasing ubiquity of these systems comes more immediacy and so more opportunity to make impulsive choices. These are the <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2033431/">potentially damaging choices</a> over which we have diminished self-control and are, from a purely economic perspective, irrational.</p>
<p>In retail, impulsive choices are encouraged because they lead to the most coveted of consumer purchases, impulse buys. Depending on the <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096969891300115X">product</a>, they make up to anywhere from 40% to 80% of purchases. The essence of an impulse buy is that it satisfies immediate desires and, so, unsurprisingly, the ability to immediately gratify is a powerful tool that “brick and mortar” retailers use to lure shoppers into making impulse buys.</p>
<p>Yet with current delivery methods, Amazon cannot provide anything close to this immediacy. Enter the drone. In the same way that the cigarette revolutionised the way people consume nicotine, the drone will have a similar impact on how people consume, well, pretty much anything that can be bought. Or at least anything that can be carried by a small drone. That is, until Amazon release their <a href="http://www.freepatentsonline.com/20160378108.pdf">“mega drone” convoys into the skies capable of carrying objects as heavy as a sofa</a>.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/170000/original/file-20170518-12231-6gnh8n.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/170000/original/file-20170518-12231-6gnh8n.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=368&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/170000/original/file-20170518-12231-6gnh8n.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=368&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/170000/original/file-20170518-12231-6gnh8n.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=368&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/170000/original/file-20170518-12231-6gnh8n.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=462&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/170000/original/file-20170518-12231-6gnh8n.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=462&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/170000/original/file-20170518-12231-6gnh8n.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=462&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Amazon’s patented mega-drone, a group of interconnected drones, could transport objects as heavy as a sofa.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Amazon.com</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A product delivered by drone is thus one that has been stripped of the computational costs that usually hold us back from being completely impulsive. Minimal effort, minimal time. Click and you shall receive. When rewards are delivered in this way, it is extremely difficult for our brains to refuse them.</p>
<p>Couple this with an endless stream of tempting images delivered to our screens of the products deemed to be the ones we most desire at that given moment, as determined by the marketing algorithms monitoring our online behaviour, and we have a perfect recipe for diminished self-control and subsequent impulse buys. This is a system with which a passing temptation, provoked by an ad, no longer has to pass. Instead, with the click of a mouse, it can be almost instantly satiated.</p>
<p>The only cost to consider, of course, is the price. And the quicker Amazon can deliver their products, the higher you perceive their value, and so, the more they can charge. The price we are willing to pay is directly related to the reduction of these other costs – time and effort in particular – that our brain instinctively computes before making a choice. Retailers are well aware of this tendency, considering the millions of UK customers who are willing to pay Amazon £7.99 per month for their <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/01/26/amazon-prime-membership-surges-by-35pc/">Prime status</a>. This extra cost does not enhance a product in any way, it merely gets it to its recipient quicker than it normally would.</p>
<h2>Fewer constraints, more impulse buys</h2>
<p>So perhaps it is the lure of this double boost – more impulse buys and higher prices – that explains the eagerness with which online retailers are to press ahead with drone delivery despite the regulatory obstacles that currently stand in their way. But why might the UK government be willing to clear the path for Amazon? Given that the country currently has <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/10172298/One-surveillance-camera-for-every-11-people-in-Britain-says-CCTV-survey.html">one surveillance camera for every 11 people</a> and has recently legalised <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/19/extreme-surveillance-becomes-uk-law-with-barely-a-whimper">“the most extreme surveillance in the history of western democracy”</a>, the prospect of filling the skies with thousands of flying robots equipped with cameras might sound attractive. Drones might also encourage UK citizens to become even greater consumers and thus boost an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/feb/22/Brexit-economy-consumers-uk-eu">economy that relies heavily on consumer spending</a>. That the profits would go to a giant multinational notorious for <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jun/24/amazons-uk-business-paid-119m-tax-last-year">tax avoidance</a> is another issue, as is the fact that delivery drones would pose a threat to those who are already vulnerable to <a href="http://www.econ.nyu.edu/user/debraj/Papers/BernheimRayYeltekin2.pdf">impulsive shopping, overspending and poverty</a>.</p>
<p>But the drone is not the villain here. It’s merely a highly advanced instrument whose design and function is wholly determined by the intentions of its human minders. For instance, some companies are developing drones that could deliver <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jun/24/first-successful-ship-to-shore-drone-delivery-new-jersey">medical supplies to remote locations or to people with mobility issues</a>. In a parallel universe, where the UK government values public institutions like the <a href="http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2013/01/nhs-even-more-cherished-monarchy-and-army">NHS as much as its people do</a>, perhaps regulations are being loosened so that investments could be made in systems that contribute to social progress and not just economic growth.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/77994/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>David O'Connor ne travaille pas, ne conseille pas, ne possède pas de parts, ne reçoit pas de fonds d'une organisation qui pourrait tirer profit de cet article, et n'a déclaré aucune autre affiliation que son organisme de recherche.</span></em></p>Amazon.com and others are eager to fill the skies with drones delivering packages at all hours. Convenient, yes, but it could transform – and not in a good way – our ability to make informed choices.David O'Connor, Postdoctoral Fellow in Neuroeconomics, Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS)Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/776292017-05-17T20:13:01Z2017-05-17T20:13:01ZGuilt-free online shopping: can parcel deliveries ever be truly carbon-neutral?<p>Whether you’re a fashion junkie or a reluctant shopper, there is no denying that buying online is hugely convenient – a couple of clicks and your order is on its way to your door. But we are all aware that these goods need to be transported, and that a delivery involving planes, ships and trucks will produce greenhouse gases and therefore add to climate change. </p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be nice to know that your online shopping does not contribute to global warming? Are carbon-neutral deliveries possible? What are logistics companies doing to reduce their environmental impact? </p>
<p>With online shopping <a href="http://whitmanwire.com/feature/2017/04/20/waste-at-whitman-online-shopping-on-the-rise/%20or%20http://fortune.com/2016/06/08/online-shopping-increases/">hitting new heights</a>, transport companies have <a href="http://cargofacts.com/e-commerce-drives-express-fleet-expansion-part-ii/">expanded their airfreight capacity</a> and overall freight volumes <a href="http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2017-02-01-01.aspx">grew by 3.8% in 2016</a>. </p>
<p>More packages for customers might be good for the companies’ bottom line, but it is rather bad for the environment. In response, most major logistics companies have implemented carbon-reduction strategies. These companies not only regard carbon reduction as a way to gain their customers’ trust by appealing to their environmental conscience, but also as an opportunity to save costs by improving energy efficiency - which also cuts carbon emissions.</p>
<p>Current energy efficiency initiatives include an <a href="https://www.b2ceurope.eu/blog/making-e-commerce-logistics-more-sustainable/">increase in the use of electric vehicles and bikes</a> to cover the “last mile” – the final leg of the parcel’s journey from depot to doorstep. Another strategy is the introduction of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/aug/23/uber-for-couriers-australian-logistics-software-promises-to-minimise-traffic-and-emissions">better logistics software</a> that helps companies to plan routes and track drivers’ movement, delivering more goods in fewer vehicles. </p>
<p>Companies are also increasingly looking for “<a href="https://www.environmentalleader.com/2013/02/intermodal-service-reduces-co2-52/">intermodal solutions</a>” - instead of using only trucks for delivery, they might incorporate other transport modes such as rail or ships at various points in the journey, depending on what will use the least fuel energy.</p>
<h2>Going zero-carbon?</h2>
<p>These initiatives are a step in the right direction, but some companies say they plan to get rid of carbon emissions altogether.</p>
<p>One of the biggest challenges is the reduction of emissions from planes. Air freight – and aviation overall – is a <a href="https://theconversation.com/aviation-emissions-are-rising-and-industry-solutions-are-just-technological-myths-56032">massive contributor</a> to total world greenhouse emissions.</p>
<p>Some transport companies are <a href="http://about.van.fedex.com/blog/biofuels-take-flight-with-fedex-infographic/">working with entrepreneurs</a> to replace jet fuel with non-fossil alternatives, such as <a href="https://energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/algal-biofuels">biofuels from algae</a>. Algae grows naturally all over the world, can be rapidly cultured, and can be grown on land that is not suitable for conventional farming, thus largely avoiding competition with agriculture. </p>
<p>Algae is currently seen as a fuel for the future, rather than a viable option today. Producing algal biofuel on the necessary scale for commercial aviation is currently too expensive, but studies suggest that widespread replacement of kerosene with biofuels could <a href="http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-biofuels.php">ultimately reduce carbon emissions by up to 65%</a>.</p>
<h2>Droning on</h2>
<p>Drones to deliver goods will also be the new normal in the future, and some companies, <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/02/21/ups-delivery-top-of-van-drone-workhorse/98057076/">such as UPS</a>, are already running trials. </p>
<p>While it doesn’t make much sense to have a fleet of drones operating from a warehouse in the middle of nowhere, putting them a van and using them to cover the “last mile” is potentially very efficient. It saves the driver the trouble of parking the truck, getting out, finding the package, and carrying it to the door in person. </p>
<p>More improvements are also planned for trucks and electric vehicles. Although trucks make up <a href="https://www.transportenvironment.org/news/%E2%80%98trucks-can-be-40-more-fuel-efficient-2030-co2-limits%E2%80%99">fewer than 5% of vehicles</a> in many industrialised countries, they <a href="https://www.transportenvironment.org/news/%E2%80%98trucks-can-be-40-more-fuel-efficient-2030-co2-limits%E2%80%99">produce 25% of greenhouse emissions in the European Union</a> and <a href="http://www.climatechangeauthority.gov.au/reviews/light-vehicle-emissions-standards-australia/opportunities-reduce-light-vehicle-emissions">20% in Australia</a>. Through new carbon emissions standards, trucks could <a href="https://www.transportenvironment.org/news/%E2%80%98trucks-can-be-40-more-fuel-efficient-2030-co2-limits%E2%80%99">slash their emissions by up to 40% by 2030</a>. </p>
<p>But rather than replace old vans with newer versions of the same model, the really smart thing to do would be to go electric – particularly if those vehicles can be charged with renewable electricity. As parcel delivery vans <a href="http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/48896.pdf">typically only drive around 100km per day</a>, they do not suffer the “range anxiety” of long-haul trucks, potentially making electric vans a viable option. </p>
<p>Logistics firm DHL <a href="https://cleantechnica.com/2016/10/08/deutsche-post-builds-electric-delivery-van-volkswagen-execs-angry/">last year unveiled its own electric delivery van</a>, and last month announced plans to <a href="https://cleantechnica.com/2017/04/13/dhl-deutsche-post-double-electric-delivery-van-production/">double its production</a>.</p>
<h2>Make it yourself</h2>
<p><a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421514004868">3D printing</a> can also bring us closer to the goal of carbon neutrality, simply because it cuts out the need for delivery altogether, in favour of manufacturing your purchases yourself, at home. </p>
<p>Although 3D printing still faces sustainability challenges, it can be regarded as a disruptive technology that may lead to a great shift in supply chains, as most goods will be produced and sold close to their point of consumption. <a href="http://ctl.mit.edu/sites/ctl.mit.edu/files/library/public/2014ExecSummary-BhasinBodla.pdf">One estimate</a> forecasts that 3D printing can potentially reduce global supply chains costs by 50-90%, consequently leading to large carbon savings.</p>
<p>Although these steps might not be enough to offer a 100% carbon-neutral delivery, the combination of these initiatives and their roll-out in the coming years has the potential to make ordering goods online significantly greener. </p>
<p>The future of transport looks bright – and transport companies will play their part to give you a clear conscience when you order online. Happy shopping!</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/77629/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>David M. Herold does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Online shopping giants and logistics firms are trying to improve efficiency and cut carbon – knowing that doing so will reduce their operating costs while appealing to green-minded consumers.David M. Herold, Sustainable Logistics Researcher, Griffith UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/717732017-01-30T16:49:14Z2017-01-30T16:49:14ZHow the drone went from the latest must have tech toy to a billion-dollar cultural phenomenon<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/154711/original/image-20170130-7685-1hqakn5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">An airbourne drone</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/download/success">www.shutterstock.com</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Of the many technologies to have captured our imaginations over the last five years, there have been few with such lofty aspirations as drones. These high-tech flying machines have opened up new cultural pastimes which bring together hobbyist enthusiasm and a simple human curiosity to take to the skies.</p>
<p>In 2015, one of the largest commercial drone developers, DJI, was valued to be worth over <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/5/6/8554429/dji-75-million-funding-investment-accel-10-billion-valuation">US$10billion</a>, while major media companies like Facebook and Google have been quietly acquiring drone manufacturers to further their aspirations of reaching the remaining world’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/20/facebook-google-buying-into-drones-profit-motive">offline population</a> by using high altitude drones to beam down data through lasers, giving those more remote communities a means of getting online. </p>
<p>But what are the big five applications that explain the proliferation of drones over this period, or which signal important contributions to our society?</p>
<h2>Delivery</h2>
<p>The great thing about drones is that they are small, fast, agile, self-guiding, and can carry things. Ever since Amazon’s first patent award for a drone delivery system in April 2015, we have seen new designs emerge and new applications imagined, including the company’s latest aspiration to create a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/29/amazon-plans-for-giant-airship-warehouses-revealed">blimp style drone</a> carrier which will be able to deploy fleets of drones directly from the sky. Meanwhile companies like Flirtey have received approval for commercial drone delivery flights, for items <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/mar/25/first-us-autonomous-urban-drone-delivery-in-nevada/">ranging from</a> Pizza delivery to bottled water, emergency food and first aid kits.</p>
<p>Other delivery designs have included life-ring drones, blood-delivery drones, and defibrillator “ambulance” drones – the prototypes of which show great success and clarity of use.</p>
<h2>Filmmaking</h2>
<p>In 2015, the world’s first <a href="http://www.nycdronefilmfestival.com/">Drone Film festival</a> took place in New York, shortly followed by a number of others around the world. In the same year, the <a href="https://dronesforgood.ae/">Drones for Good</a> prize launched in Dubai, creating an annual US$1m prize for inventors to come up with some of the best drone applications. Finalists ranged from drones designed to map biodiversity, to a search and rescue drone which was its inaugural international winner. </p>
<p>Award winning filmmaker Liam Young created the first film shot entirely by drones, called <a href="https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/27/in-the-robot-skies-sci-fi-film-shot-autonomous-drones/%5D">In the Robot Skies</a>. Artists are even putting 360 cameras onto drones and turning them into virtual reality perspectives, as in the case of award-winning Marshmallow Laser Feast’s <a href="http://www.andfestival.org.uk/events/in-the-eyes-of-the-animal-festival/">In the Eyes of the Animal</a>, which uses drones, LIDAR scanning, and VR to give a completely new perspective on the world.</p>
<h2>Drone Racing</h2>
<p>The United Arab Emirates created the world’s first Grand Prix Drone Racing event, with British teen <a href="http://www.wired.co.uk/article/british-teenager-luke-bannister-wins-worlds-biggest-drone-race">Luke Banister</a> winning its inaugural event in 2016 with a first prize pot of US$250,000. Since then an entire community of drone races have been popping up around the world, with the first professional race taking place in the UK at the 02 Arena in 2017.</p>
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<h2>Conservation</h2>
<p>Drones also have the extraordinary capacity to occupy parts of our natural world that no other object can. These machines have been seized upon by environmental scientists to help us understand the natural world in ways that have never been possible before. For instance, primate biologist <a href="https://conservationdrones.org/">Serge Wich</a> has been monitoring apes from above using a range of drone systems, while <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-35353869">Neil Entwistle</a>, of Salford University’s School of Environment and Life Sciences, has been mapping out flooding patterns in the UK to more effectively help us figure out how to protect ourselves against catastrophic weather. </p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/154712/original/image-20170130-7653-zge7vl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/154712/original/image-20170130-7653-zge7vl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/154712/original/image-20170130-7653-zge7vl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/154712/original/image-20170130-7653-zge7vl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/154712/original/image-20170130-7653-zge7vl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/154712/original/image-20170130-7653-zge7vl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/154712/original/image-20170130-7653-zge7vl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Drones can also be used to track environmental changes.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/thierryjamesweber/9666983780/in/photolist-fJePu9-wDDxVY-qKcNjG-fJeN37-fJeNy7-6kRoee-bJvE2T-fHXftM-fHXdKn-fJeMif-sEkFYD-fHXeVe-qLoXig-3pFJvh-fHXfki-fJePGd-6kVwE1-fHXeeV-6Mu2VW-fJeMRQ-oowVN1-uFwmxh-fJeP1b-tWLFVc-chvytS-bXpQpW-kZS9Jy-niLPVF-rQcsxe-fJePkQ-6kRmGR-b2YuLR-uedRZP-6MpNSF-9Jg7bA-fJeMv3-fvhXkc-6kVywC-sc1mnw-7Pzmf2-s9RWk5-fvxeLj-qu15AU-8ysmeT-6kVuRY-kswQSL-6kVyHN-ksutJi-FY6KSb-pnVn7f">Thierry Weber/flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
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<h2>Journalism</h2>
<p>Journalists have also been quick off the mark to use drones. The <a href="http://www.knightfoundation.org/grants/20115341/">Knight News Foundation</a> project is developing a Drone Journalism operations manual to help reporters fly ethically and safely. And in countries where there is tight media control there is particular value in having drones to access places which have decreed off limits. In Turkey, for example, an activist allegedly had his <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2013/06/24/turkish_protests_police_reportedly_shoot_down_demonstrators_drone_video.html">drone shot down</a> by police when he was trying to capture footage of demonstrations in Istanbul.</p>
<h2>Hype?</h2>
<p>Among all these amazing applications, there is also a lot of hype about where drones will take us. A lot is still very much in flux. Rules keep changing, freedoms to fly are being curbed in various countries, such as Spain, and there remains a concern about safety and how best to govern accountability. What’s more, it’s crucial to keep an eye on the links between the military and the consumer sector, as the overlaps are emerging – <a href="https://www.wired.com/2017/01/military-may-soon-buy-drones-home/?">economically and politically</a>. </p>
<p>There is already a push back against a world where we are surrounded by drones, such as the project <a href="http://www.noflyzone.org/">No Fly Zone</a> which lets US citizens try to protect the air space around their homes from drone intrusion. We also have a massive design problem in trying to actually figure out what a highway in the sky might look like.</p>
<p>But one thing is clear, the investment capital is there to sustain these applications for a long time to come and there is no sign of the number of applications diminishing so there’s still a great deal of change to expect ahead.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/71773/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Andy Miah received funding from Nesta, Arts Council England, and the AHRC in 2014 for a drone project, exploring Digital R&D for the Arts, in partnership with Marshmallow Laser Feast and Abandon Normal Devices.</span></em></p>Drone technology is quickly evolving from a geeky accessory to multi-billion dollar industry.Andy Miah, Chair in Science Communication & Future Media, University of SalfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/706332017-01-27T02:03:49Z2017-01-27T02:03:49ZWhat drones may come: The future of unmanned flight approaches<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/154120/original/image-20170124-16094-14zorwh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/camera-drone-flying-over-jungle-hills-494077246">Drone via shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The once-small community of drone hobbyists has transformed into a worldwide phenomenon. In 2016 especially, significant technology improvements and regulatory clarity have paved the way for even more dramatic changes in the coming years.</p>
<p>Among the biggest adopters of drones, and experimenters with them, have been <a href="http://business.time.com/2013/03/18/majoring-in-drones-higher-ed-embraces-unmanned-aircraft/">universities</a>. As the director of the University of California system’s <a href="http://ucop.edu/enterprise-risk-management/resources/centers-of-excellence/unmanned-aircraft-systems-safety.html">Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety</a> – effectively the drone headquarters of our whole 10-campus system – I have an excellent view of the drone industry’s past, present and future.</p>
<p>The truly surprising details are about how wide and diverse a range of purposes drones are serving on our campuses – and what’s coming next. As we begin exploring what drones can do, and identifying what social and commercial uses they might serve, the work provides a glimpse into the future of drone flight across the country, and throughout our economy.</p>
<h2>Engineering research</h2>
<p>Drones have only recently reached the commercial mainstream. However, university engineering departments have been designing and building them for decades. For years, engineering students, for instance, have studied the advanced control algorithms that keep drones flying level and straight. Their work has helped bring us to the point where drones are even available for sale in <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/products/rc-drones.jsp">toy stores</a>. </p>
<p>It is no surprise that our engineers are still working on drones and related technology such as sensors, automation and innovative platforms. Some introductory engineering classes involve students building and flying drones; more advanced students learn about <a href="http://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/courses/MAE.html">flight dynamics and algorithms that help drones stay aloft</a>.</p>
<p>In recent years, though, our engineering departments are focusing less on building the aircraft and more on improving safety, navigation and ability to carry equipment that <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/540391/license-plates-for-drones-could-make-rogue-operators-accountable/">allows drones to help with different tasks</a>.</p>
<p>For example, researchers <a href="https://ucrtoday.ucr.edu/40675">are developing navigation systems that don’t rely on GPS satellites</a>. This could help allow drones to navigate autonomously inside buildings, in deep canyons, underground or other places where GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable. Whether delivering packages to remote locations or handling emergency tasks in hazardous conditions, this type of capability could significantly expand drones’ usefulness.</p>
<p>Another research group is working on ways for <a href="http://www.ucmerced.edu/news/2016/nasa-uc-merced-successfully-test-miniature-methane-sensor">drones to help detect gas leaks</a> from oil pipelines. With millions of miles of pipelines across the country, that is a monumental task. Attaching methane-sniffing sensors to drones could make it much easier: Autonomous drones could fly the routes of every pipeline nearly constantly, registering the location and volume of leaks, and alerting repair and cleanup crews.</p>
<h2>Growth in agriculture and environmental work</h2>
<p>Our largest use of drones has been out in the fields. Two-thirds of the UC system’s drone flights, which encompass thousands of flights and hundreds of flight hours, have been for <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/drones-aid-agriculture">agricultural and environmental research</a>. This suggests that those areas could provide breakout opportunities for drone uses.</p>
<p>Some scholars have found many ways drones can replace existing manned aircraft, like with <a href="http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/northbay/napacounty/5637688-181/yamaha-napa-first-crop-spray-drone">a pesticide-spraying helicopter</a> that could reduce time and costs and provide safer operations. But the biggest factor has been how easy drones make it to collect data that were extremely difficult, or even impossible, to collect before. </p>
<p>For example, drones with special thermal cameras are allowing researchers to investigate water consumption rates of several varieties of crops in the <a href="http://watermanagement.ucdavis.edu/research/cover-crop/">Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta</a>. The drones’ data collection is so detailed that the scholars can count individual melons, allowing much better estimates of crop yield. When farmers know much more precisely how big the harvest will be, they can better estimate how much money they’ll make – and can make better budget decisions with the information.</p>
<p>Drones are also proving themselves useful in <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/scripps-science-responds-el-nino">high-resolution aerial coastal survey mapping</a>. In the past, researchers walked along the coast and took pictures to survey areas. This was difficult to do without disturbing wildlife. In addition, surveyors would take pictures from small planes to model and predict coastal erosion and flooding. With drones, they’re able to collect data more frequently with greater detail, and do a better job <a href="http://spatial.ucdavis.edu/teaching/">mapping and analyzing environmental data</a>. That helps improve our understanding of coastal ecology, and prepares local residents and communities for possible disasters because the drones are able to get closer to certain environments which scientists will be able extract more information from. </p>
<p>For instance, when monitoring giant sequoias, a team of five to seven people would have to map the area, which would take about a week. A drone flight has been able to replace that work with <a href="http://news.berkeley.edu/2016/12/07/drones-help-monitor-health-of-giant-sequoias/">a two-minute flight</a>. That makes it easier to track how the trees are growing and responding to changes in their environment.</p>
<h2>Beyond the academic realm</h2>
<p>To meet the demand from people with no experience in drone technology, we have developed special workshops for students, staff, faculty and UC research partners to learn about <a href="http://igis.ucanr.edu/IGISTraining/DroneTechUCB/">drone technology, regulations and flight instruction</a>.</p>
<p>Campus film and media departments regularly use drones to make sweeping images of our scenic campus locations for promotional videos and reports. Beyond that, though, university facilities workers have been using drones to monitor construction sites, inspect building areas that are hard to get to (like roofs) and keep an eye on the university’s sizable landholdings. All of these uses can significantly improve worker safety, productivity and cost savings.</p>
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<p>Students are also using drones recreationally, which has raised safety and privacy concerns on our campuses, just as it has <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-a-national-conversation-about-sensible-drone-laws-57172">off-campus</a>. With plenty of green spaces, many students want to fly their drones and other model aircraft on campus, even near dorms or other housing. We’ve addressed this need with respectful solutions like helping students <a href="https://uav.berkeley.edu/">form clubs</a> and organizing flying events, either on campus fields reserved for the day, or at off-campus parks. We are also seeing what may be the beginnings of a collegiate <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-might-drone-racing-drive-innovation-57933">Drone Racing League</a>.</p>
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<p>This sort of just-for-fun experimentation can make it challenging to regulate drone flights based on what the drone is doing. But universities are often test locations for new technologies. Our work – both formal and recreational – encourages creativity and can foster an entrepreneurial spirit. We can expect that at least some of these early uses for drones will eventually spill into the commercial and consumer markets.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/70633/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Brandon Stark is the Director of the University of California Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety.</span></em></p>Get a taste of a drone-enabled future by looking at innovations and explorations from researchers, students and employees at one of the nation’s largest university systems.Brandon Stark, Director of the University of California Center of Excellence on Unmanned Aircraft System Safety, University of California, MercedLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/711192017-01-12T11:50:07Z2017-01-12T11:50:07ZDrones delivering packages in cities won’t take off – here’s why<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/152302/original/image-20170110-29024-1ri1w1k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/pic-326291684/stock-photo-drone-delivers-the-goods-against-the-background-of-new-york.html?src=czklxhMby9ir5uQFl5KwNA-1-8">Who is Danny</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>You may have gasped with disbelief the first time you saw a photograph of a drone home-delivering a box from Amazon or cakes from a bakery or carrying a bag of crisps. Until recently, this was the stuff of science fiction. Your initial reaction was probably: “Amazing … but will it ever take off?”</p>
<p>Drones – or unmanned aerial vehicles, as we once called them – have now become capable of lifting and delivering on the back of continued research and technological ingenuity. Amazon has recently been trialling drones <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-17/australian-startup-flirtey-takes-on-google-in-drone-race/7416004">in Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNySOrI2Ny8">the UK</a>, but don’t get too excited: this is likely to be an exception rather than a norm. The practical reality of using drones in cities remains far away and is getting ever more distant. </p>
<p>There are already too many potential problems to let drones fly with sufficiently loose restrictions in cities to make a delivery business viable. One major issue is drones interfering with aircraft, thanks to surging numbers of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36734096">near-misses</a>. Drones are also <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-37152665">increasingly</a> being used to fly drugs and other contraband into prisons.</p>
<p>In the US, there have been <a href="http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-drones-paparazzi-20140820-story.html">fears about</a> camera-equipped drones stalking celebrities for paparazzi. There have also been stories about invasive drone surveillance, both on behalf of <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/03/the-rapid-rise-of-federal-surveillance-drones-over-america/473136/">the state</a> and <a href="https://www.rt.com/usa/168164-daniel-saulmon-drone-camera/">private individuals</a>. </p>
<h2>Drone law</h2>
<p>The biggest backlog of legal cases in the US <a href="http://jrupprechtlaw.com/tag/part-48">is reportedly</a> drone claims over issues including safety, noise, damage, personal intrusion and privacy. The whole area is a growing business for lawyers, with <a href="http://dronelawjournal.com">drone law journals</a> springing up and fierce debates over whether, <a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/is-flying-a-drone-illegal-a-comprehensive-guide-to-americas-drone-laws">for example</a>, drones fall within the definition of aircraft for legal purposes. </p>
<p>New US flight rules introduced last August did lead some optimists to <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/2016/08/29/faas-new-drone-laws-go-into-effect-monday-allowing-us-companies-to-innovate.html">predict</a> a new business opportunity that could create 100,000 new jobs, but the reality is that the whole sector is in a mess. The US Federal Aviation Authority <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36584515">has explicitly</a> said drone deliveries are off limits, at least pending further research into their consequences. </p>
<p>At the same time, technologies are emerging that are designed to down drones. Your initial reaction might be that these will never work either, but I’m not so sure. </p>
<p>A great recent <a href="http://openworksengineering.com">British engineering invention</a> is the SkyWall100. It looks like a bazooka gun and uses laser-guided targeting to fire a ball. This opens into a net that engulfs the drone and brings it to earth under a parachute. It went on sale late last year and is retailing at between £50,000 and £65,000 depending on the size of the order. So far, it has attracted a promising level of interest. </p>
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<p>The SkyWall100 is safer and less messy than shooting down drones with bullets, yet it opens up a cavern of legal ambiguities. In the UK, for example, it’s classed as a firearm so can only be owned by someone with the appropriate licence – restricting them mainly to the police or military. The US has looser firearm restrictions, of course, but firearms still generally can’t be discharged within city limits. However, the SkyWall100 is not classified as a firearm in the US, so it can be discharged anywhere. </p>
<p>Among <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X27-2WDIZR00">other techniques</a> for taking out drones, one is the Battelle DroneDefender, which is a large gun that fires a “cone of energy” at a device that disrupts GPS systems. So far, these are only in use by the military and not permitted for public sale. </p>
<h2>Going down …</h2>
<p>If the likes of the SkyWall100 are going to let people prevent drones from moving over their private property to avoid their nuisance, noise and frankly hazard of failure, a new sport of “drone downing” could easily become extremely popular in the coming years – at least in America. Drone-downing raises the alluring prospect of capturing free booty if it strays illegally into your property. So what constitutes illegal?</p>
<p>While I stress I am no lawyer, the US rules for protecting your drone from such potshots <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-36584515">would appear</a> to be <a href="http://www.mensjournal.com/gear/articles/the-laws-you-need-to-know-before-flying-your-drone-w210915">as follows</a>. It must weigh less than 25kg and can’t be out of your line of sight or higher than 400ft in the air. It can only be flown in daylight, and at dawn and dusk it needs special lights to make it visible. It also can’t be flown over groups of people or near stadiums or airports. </p>
<figure class="align-right zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=663&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=663&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=663&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/152305/original/image-20170110-29024-1n24is3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=833&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Mission: impossible?</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/pic-512167573/stock-vector-drones-delivery-presents-vector-illustration-isolated.html?src=czklxhMby9ir5uQFl5KwNA-1-91">Alex Kee</a></span>
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<p>In the UK, <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/04/18/drone-laws-in-the-uk--what-are-the-rules/">the rules</a> are similar, but with slightly tougher weight restrictions and additional requirements – it must be at least 150 metres from a building and 50 metres from a person or vehicle. If I was planning to build a shopping or pizza delivery business based on using drones that delivered to homes in cities, restrictions like these would make me more than a little jittery. </p>
<p>Put all this together and it’s virtually impossible to see drone deliveries becoming viable in cities. It might be a different story in remote locations where special deliveries may be deemed acceptable and welcomed, but otherwise I’m afraid this is one vision of the future that has no chance of coming to pass. It is an example of a clearly brilliant concept that is colliding badly with human nature and reality.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/71119/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Richard Andrew Williams does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Tremendous technology is on a collision course with reality.Richard Andrew Williams, Principal and Vice Chancellor, Heriot-Watt UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/702412016-12-21T00:28:25Z2016-12-21T00:28:25ZObstacle avoidance: The challenge for drone package delivery<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/150527/original/image-20161216-18030-1ld27eo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Look out!</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/pic-451886950/">Delivery drone illustration via shutterstock.com</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/technology/amazon-drone-england-delivery.html">world’s first drone deliveries</a> have begun trial runs in the United Kingdom <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/20/7-eleven-delivers-77-packages-via-drone-in-first-month-of-routine-service/">and the U.S.</a> Once primarily used by militaries, small quadcopter and octocopter drones are now so commonplace they are for sale at <a href="https://www.lowes.com/pl/Drones-drone-accessories-Electrical/1236481888">home improvement stores</a> and <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=114577256&ab=TRU_Header:Utility3:Vehicles-Trains-RC:Drones:Home-Page">toy stores</a>. People are flying drones for fun, for entertainment and for commercial purposes as diverse as <a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/submissions-are-open-for-the-2017-new-york-city-drone-film-festival">filmmaking</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/farmers-of-the-future-will-utilize-drones-robots-and-gps-37739">farming</a>.</p>
<p>All these uses have one thing in common: The drone’s human operator is required by law to be able to see the drone at all times. Why? The answer is simple: to make sure the drone doesn’t hit anything.</p>
<p>Beyond just wanting not to crash and damage their drones or themselves, <a href="https://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf">drone operators must avoid collisions with people, property and other vehicles</a>. Specifically, <a href="https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/faa_regulations/">federal aviation regulations</a> forbid aircraft – including drones – from flying “<a href="http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/0/962A5F17CD0CBBB8852566CF00614B41?OpenDocument">so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard</a>.” The rules also require that “<a href="http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgFAR.nsf/0/934f0a02e17e7de086256eeb005192fc!OpenDocument">vigilance shall be maintained by each person operating an aircraft so as to see and avoid other aircraft</a>.” These requirements are commonly referred to simply as “see-and-avoid”: Pilots must see and avoid other traffic.</p>
<p>But that places a significant limitation on drone operations. The whole point of drones is that they are unmanned. Without a human operator on board, though, how can a drone steer clear of collisions? This is a crucial problem for Amazon, Google and any other company that wants to <a href="http://motherboard.vice.com/read/amazons-delivery-drones-may-face-new-regulatory-roadblocks">deliver packages with drones</a>.</p>
<p>To be practical, delivery drones would have to be able to fly long distances, well out of sight of a human operator. How, then, can the operator prevent the drone from hitting a tree, building, airplane or even another drone? Although cameras could be mounted on the drone for this purpose, current civil drone video transmission technology is <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/drone-reviews/dji-mavic-pro-review/">limited to a range of a few miles</a>. As a result, in order to perform long-distance deliveries, the drone must autonomously detect nearby objects and avoid hitting them. </p>
<p>As a drone operations researcher, I keep a close eye on ways to achieve this. New research into sensors – at least some of which come from development of autonomous cars – is making increased autonomy possible for drones, potentially opening the skies to even more innovation.</p>
<h2>Radar and lidar</h2>
<p>There are two main technologies available for drones to detect nearby objects. The first is radar, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/radar/History-of-radar">developed just before World War II</a>, that sends out radio waves and measures their reflections from obstacles. Radar is still used as the primary system for air traffic controllers <a href="http://web.mit.edu/6.933/www/Fall2000/mode-s/atcrbs.html">to track planes in the sky</a>. <a href="http://www.boats.com/how-to/marine-electronics-101-how-to-use-radar/">Ships also use radar</a> to avoid collisions at night or in foggy conditions.</p>
<p><a href="http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lidar.html">Lidar</a>, developed more recently, uses laser beams instead of radio waves, and can provide extremely detailed images of nearby features. The catch is that both radar and lidar systems have been <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2015/12/04/the-75000-problem-for-self-driving-cars-is-going-away/?utm_term=.6463cadd4ba3">bulky, heavy and expensive</a>. That makes them hard to fit on relatively small drones; also, heavier drones require more battery power to stay aloft, which requires bigger (and heavier) batteries.</p>
<figure class="align-left ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/150384/original/image-20161215-26027-1wmuv12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/150384/original/image-20161215-26027-1wmuv12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150384/original/image-20161215-26027-1wmuv12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150384/original/image-20161215-26027-1wmuv12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150384/original/image-20161215-26027-1wmuv12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150384/original/image-20161215-26027-1wmuv12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150384/original/image-20161215-26027-1wmuv12.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A small lidar sensor.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Velodyne</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
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<p>There is hope, though. Research in obstacle sensors and collision avoidance technology for autonomous automobiles has spurred the development of small, lower-cost <a href="http://www.drone360mag.com/news-notes/2016/05/echodyne-releases-small-radar-that-could-be-big-for-drones">radar</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2015/12/04/the-75000-problem-for-self-driving-cars-is-going-away/?utm_term=.6463cadd4ba3">lidar</a> devices. Once they are sufficiently small, and energy-efficient enough not to quickly drain drone batteries, both types of sensors could help solve the drone “see-and-avoid,” or really, because drones don’t have eyes, the “detect-and-avoid” problem.</p>
<h2>An in-flight view</h2>
<p>A recent test flight here at Ohio University involved a lidar sensor mounted on a drone. When the drone was approximately five feet above the ground, the lidar was able to create an image of its surroundings.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=337&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=337&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=337&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=423&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=423&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/150382/original/image-20161215-26027-1k8hs9w.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=423&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A lidar image from a drone in flight.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Michael Braasch</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
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<p>On one side, the image had bushy-looking areas representing trees and foliage. One the other there were parallel lines indicating the location of a building wall. And in the middle were some circular shapes representing the ground. This sort of obstacle detection capability and discernment will be essential for routine drone operation, particularly during takeoff and landing.</p>
<p>We are currently in what might be called the “Wright Brothers era” of drone development. Removing the human from the cockpit has challenged innovators and designers in a number of ways – including solving the task of obstacle detection. But as our technology advances, eventually – just like elevators that used to be operated by humans – people will grow used to the idea of these machines operating autonomously.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/70241/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Braasch has received funding from the FAA and NASA for drone research. </span></em></p>Without a human operator on board, how can a drone steer clear of collisions? Technology from autonomous cars can help.Michael Braasch, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Ohio UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.