Flight of fancy or a fascinating new feature of modern living? Some doubt that our skies will ever be filled with pilot-less aerial devices. Others say that this future will be ours very soon. In different ways, both opinions are close to the truth.
This trend report takes a fully grounded look at the role of these devices in our near-future. It deals with current capabilities and circumstances, exploring the positive potential as well as the existing limitations of ‘unmanned aerial vehicles’ (UAVs), also known as drones – but this report deliberately avoids the name ‘drones’ as it has some profoundly negative connotations.
Today there is plenty of talk (and perhaps too much blue-sky thinking and hype) about civil applications for UAVs, but actual use cases are surprisingly thin on the ground.
Three impacts are at work here – technological capability, regulatory pressure, and public acceptance – and this report highlights the interplay between all three in current applications drawn from various sectors, including the logistics industry In exploring such an intriguing topic, this report is likely to raise issues and questions for many readers.
Therefore DHL warmly invites you to visit the DHL Innovation Center in Germany which showcases proven
UAV technologies. Please come and discuss your needs and joint development opportunities with us.