A few months ago, Jumia, a pan-African company, partnered with Zipline and launched its first drone delivery package in Omenako, a suburb town in Ghana.
Zipline is an American-based company that offers logistics services using self-designed and automated delivery drones. The logistics company Zipline had first recorded a successful delivery operation in Rwanda and Ghana, where it delivered life-saving medical supplies using autonomous electric drone.
The tech-based companies plan to bring the drone delivery system to other parts of Africa, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire inclusive. Just as dispatch rider delivery operates an on-demand service, the autonomous electric drone will also operate an on-demand automated delivery service, especially in remote areas of the country.
The drone delivery service is part of the plan to enlarge its distribution and logistics capacity. The delivery vehicle is designed only to lift products not more than 3 kilograms or 6.6 pounds (11.8 litres).
In a test operation, the flying vehicle was able to cover a distance of 85km from the takeoff location, depicting an intracity delivery of goods ordered. The electric drone uses gyroscopes, GPS and LiDAR technologies to travel.
Daniel Marfo, senior vice president of Zipline Africa, stated that the collaboration of the digital companies would enhance access to goods to customers and improve the quality of service of Jumia.
In a quote made by Jumia Group’s COO Apoorva Kumar, “Using the latest instant logistics technology will allow Jumia to offer our customers on-demand delivery of the products they need instantly. Zipline’s instant logistics system will provide fast and convenient access. This will support Jumia’s commitment for sustainability and innovation and provide the much needed access to rural and remote areas where conventional delivery services have challenges.”
The delivery system also contributes to reducing environmental pollution with a lower greenhouse gas emission by 98%, comparable with conventional car delivery.
However, a challenge with the drone delivery system is landing – how it drops the package. On dropping a package from the air, the machine does not consider the presence of bystanders or obstacles. Is the landing factor inconsequential to a safe product delivery using drone technology?
While the drone delivery system is more convenient and improves product accessibility, do you see any other hazard or challenge with this delivery system?
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Photo by Panda Security
