Drone delivery in rural areas
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 1 495 280 |
| Project duration | November 2021 - January 2023 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Drones in the service of the climate |
| Call | Drones in the service of the climate - autumn 2021 |
Important results from the project
The project´s objective is to assess the feasibility of using drone delivery for last-mile logistics, how it can enhance rural mobility, and how citizens perceive these new services through a commercial drone delivery pilot. The project also aims to evaluate the Swedish drone ecosystem, the permit process, and generate knowledge to facilitate the introduction of drone services in the coming years. Through dissemination, the project aims to conduct the first commercial drone delivery pilot in Sweden and contribute to the global development for emission-free societies.
Expected long term effects
The project has developed drones, drone control systems, and drone delivery solutions. The solution has been incorporated into the online shopping application as an alternative delivery option. During a two-week commercial pilot study in Norrtälje, citizens within a 6km radius of the store could order groceries with drone delivery. The project gathered firsthand information on the difficulties of drone delivery and customer attitudes toward new solutions. The findings support behavioral changes with new services toward an emission-free society, including rural areas.
Approach and implementation
The project commenced with an analysis of Norrtälje municipality and the necessity for emission-free logistics for the rural populace. Drone development and the permitting process have run concurrently to prepare for testing and validation of pilot studies. Several stakeholder meetings have been arranged with the participation of local citizens to plan the pilot, which includes training store employees, recruiting test families, mapping out the drop-off locations for packages, and gathering feedback. A two-week commercial pilot study was conducted.