UPS now has the go-ahead to quickly expand drone operations, which has the potential to augment core operations:
conducting 25-mile deliveries between North Carolina medical facilities. At the same time, UPS has been significantly investing in infrastructure to build out drone-based package delivery.
Abney said this would include the aircraft fleet and "a ground-based fleet of drones that have detect and avoid technologies…and then a consolidated control center that will allow us to dispatch and operate these drones." He clarified that this would supplement the human package delivery drivers.
UPS will undoubtedly attempt to parlay this into a long-term advantage. It could, for instance, leverage the license to attract strong startup collaborators in the space, building on partnerships with the likes of Matternet. It could also begin to test in a wider range of environmental conditions, conducting flights at night or in inclement weather. UPS will need to work quickly, however, as competitors are no doubt scrambling to gain the same permissions.
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