Go order now on DoorDash since your next delivery order in San Francisco could be faster, more efficient, and… flying? Yes, since DoorDash is reportedly looking to launch drone deliveries exclusively in this famous city, promising the dawn of a new age for rapid delivery services.
Drone deliveries in San Francisco?
DoorDash has collaborated with drone delivery company Wing to navigate the urban environment of the city with Wing’s drones, traversing skyscrapers, high winds, limited landing spaces, and other complicated challenges.
As for the traffic problem? Well, officials are going to bypass traffic and slash down delivery times in the most significant way possible.
Ridesharing media are skeptical about this news, since the official confirmations from DoorDash are vague.
“The letter came as DoorDash’s warehouse lease deal was pending, and coincided with changes proposed to federal rules that would pave the way for expanded drone deliveries. The letter sought confirmation from the city that the building and an adjacent 18,400-square-foot gated parking lot could be used for testing ‘autonomous aerial delivery systems.’ The property is zoned for light industrial activities; it was previously used by a construction tech company,” the media are saying.
But still, it is vague. On Wednesday, DoorDash may did confirm that they will utilize the facility to test autonomous delivery technologies, as well as support research and development for robotics and automation, but they did not immediately respond to queries about whether California residents could really get drone deliveries. In other words, it is not yet official.
Yet, DoorDash released their official statement via a letter: “This project reflects a broader commitment to reinvesting in San Francisco’s innovation economy and creating pathways for local employment in emerging technologies.”
Even Ridesharing Forum is doubtful about the success of this project. Drone deliveries are promising, but they are there to take away the jobs of human drivers, just like how AI is threatening to steal the jobs of writers.
Drones take away the jobs of human drivers
The logic is as easy as this. Drones are taking away the roles of human drivers since there isn’t human intervention involved with drone delivery. Drones carry the packages, and voila.
Drones, therefore, increasingly disrupt the traditional roles of human drivers, especially in delivery and logistics. Companies use drones to transport small packages, groceries, and medical supplies since they’re faster, more cost-efficient, and require minimal human supervision.
Unlike human drivers, drones do not need breaks, salaries, or benefits, reducing business operational costs.
As drone technology becomes more advanced, its ability to cover larger distances and carry heavier payloads threatens to replace more human-driven tasks, including courier services and even some freight operations.
With this automation, the demand for delivery drivers, truckers, and couriers has displaced several workers who rely on such jobs for their livelihood. While drones offer efficiency, their rise creates economic challenges by slashing labor opportunities and boosting job loss in the transportation sector.
Unless new roles emerge for displaced workers, they will continue to decry this overtake and unemployment gap in logistics with the emergence of drones.