Originally Posted by
Cubdriver
Why not worth it? In theory this machine is cheaper or they wouldn't be pushing it. So shipping rates could be less, roads will be somewhat less populated by delivery trucks, less road wear and (much) less fuel demand, quadracopter fleet can be almost completely automated, no flight plans or hands-on work required, efficiency can increase if changing shifts of van drivers and van fleets are taken out of the equation,and delivery is possible 24/7 and during snow emergencies and so on. I suppose the downside is the fuss in getting it regulated and the cost to the labor force in terms of lost jobs. In general however, technology taken as a whole is a GDP (gross domestic product) increaser so it boosts the overall yield for a given amount of capital investment and we all win when that happens. Countries that adopt advanced technology tend to lead the world in terms of GDP.
He is doing this for publicity no way this is a viable means of transporting goods in the near future. How is it going to fly to a house and put a package on the porch etc or is the plan just to release it from the UAV like a bomb? Going to take one fast UAV to deliver to another city in the same state much less another state all together. Also, think about the number of UAVs required vrs a truck to carry the same amount of packages.