Drones Archives - Supply Chain Game Changer™

Technologies Reshaping the Digital Supply Chain!

Supply Chain Investment Challenges – Real and Imagined!

In our ongoing technologies series, we have concentrated on the Informational and analytical innovation applications which are reshaping digital supply chain technology as we know it. Namely Blockchain technology, IoT, ( The Internet of Things ), supply chain digitization and 3-D printing.

These technologies are the breakthrough supply chain software applications which are fueling supporting technologies, some of which we’re going to explore today.

So let’s examine some of the Digital Supply Chain applications that are more hardware based like drones, driver-less vehicles, robotics, smart glasses and augmented reality.

Love at First Flight! Flying and Crashing My First Drone! (Video)

Delivery Drones are Taking Off! (Infographic)

For many years I have thought about buying a drone. With so many shows available showing aerial video of beautiful places around the world it, having a drone would enable me to realize that same experience on my own.

On a recent trip to Costco I noticed that they had a great deal on a Drone bundle, with great features. I was sold.

My first flight of the drone was fantastic. Yet about a week after I bought it I also had my first crash, which was not so fantastic.

As they say, what goes up must come down. What on earth happened?

The State of the Drone Delivery Market! Mainstream or Novelty?

Love at First Flight! Flying and Crashing My First Drone! (Video)

In 2013 I saw an episode on 60 Minutes showcasing Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and Amazon’s new paradigm of home delivery by drone.

It was fascinating. A drone flew out of the Amazon Distribution Centre directly to a residential home dropped off a package on the ground, and took off while the home owner came out to pick up their package.

Now almost 10 years later we thought it timely to check on the state of the drone delivery market.

5 Trends in the Gartner Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies

Supply Chain Investment Challenges – Real and Imagined!

Widespread Artificial Intelligence, Biohacking, new platforms and immersive experiences dominate this year’s Gartner Hype Cycle.

Waiting curbside for an Uber or Lyft driver might one day be the old-fashioned way of getting around. Instead, passengers will need to head to the helipad to catch a ride from a flying autonomous vehicle.

Not only will these future taxis take to the sky to potentially reduce traffic, they’ll operate independently of a human pilot.

Amazing Drone Applications Beyond Just Product Delivery!

Love at First Flight! Flying and Crashing My First Drone! (Video)

Having seen the use of drones for stunning aerial photography, as well as Amazon’s vision of using drones for package delivery, I decided to get a drone for my own personal, recreational use. The ability to see from the vantage point of hundreds of feet in the air is a unique way to see the world, and your favourite places in it.

Beyond recreational use however I continue to see more and more great videos showing tremendous drone applications beyond just recreation and product delivery.

As such we decided to discuss many of the different uses that people have found to leverage drone technology.

The Exciting Use of Drones for Inventory Control!

Love at First Flight! Flying and Crashing My First Drone! (Video)

In my experience companies always had a need for Inventory Control and an annual inventory count during which all operations were shut down for at least 2-3 days. Even then there would a period during which records were being reconciled before operations could resume normal function.

On top of the annual inventory count there were ongoing manual cycle counts throughout the entire year. Dozens of people and departments were involved in this necessary, but extremely expensive, inventory controls requirement.

With the introduction of commercial drones for inventory management the potential for revolutionary improvements is very exciting.

Delivery Drones are Taking Off! (Infographic)

Love at First Flight! Flying and Crashing My First Drone! (Video)

Also known as an “unmanned aerial vehicle” (UAV), a drone is an unpiloted aircraft or spacecraft. Drones can be operated remotely by a person or they can be controlled intelligently by computers, or in most cases, a combination of both, and used as delivery drones for instance.

Initially drones were primarily associated with the military and aviation sectors, however, they are now being increasingly used for various activities within the leisure, non-profit and commercial spheres.

In this piece, we will look at how retailers and logistics companies could use drones to deliver parcels to customers.