Review article
Utilization of Aerial Drone Technology in Logistics
Saša Aksentijević
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Studentska ulica 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Karlo Martišković
orcid.org/0009-0000-9201-7341
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Studentska ulica 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Edvard Tijan
orcid.org/0000-0002-7642-0496
; University of Rijeka, Faculty of Maritime Studies, Studentska ulica 2, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Marija Jović
orcid.org/0000-0002-9971-1579
; Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics Universitätsallee 11 - 13, 28359 Bremen, Germany
Abstract
In order to create a supply chain that is both economically and ecologically sustainable and complies
with contemporary standards, the logistics chain must be modernized and should rely on new
technology. In this article, the authors will attempt to elaborate the development direction of delivery
systems through examples of technology-oriented companies such as Amazon, focusing on the use
of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) for delivering smaller packages within urban and suburban
environments. The main goal of using drones in urban logistics is to reduce the burden on city roads
and the use of road vehicles that generate the highest gaseous emissions footprint. The use of drones
has proven to be extremely flexible and useful in port logistics as well, eliminating the need to send
supply vessels into rough seas or putting people in danger during exhaust emission control. However,
drones are a relatively new technology, and they have their own limitations, which are still being
discovered. The main constraints of the devices themselves are power sources and the power of the
aircraft, which currently and likely in the future won’t be able to transport heavier commercial loads.
Increased use leads to congestion in airspace, posing risks to other modes of transportation such as
road or air. Research shows that the current use of drones mainly revolves around test flights or limited
applications within a regulated environment.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
306235
URI
Publication date:
18.7.2023.
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