AMAZON IS GOING TO TEST DELIVERY DRONES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

As professionals that specialize in supply chain recruiting, we make it a point to be abreast of the most recent news on logistics, supply chain, or recruitment topics. Over the course of the last week or two, an unexpected advancement has been achieved in the field of drone-based package delivery capabilities. It has been reported that online retail giants Amazon have been granted permission by the government to conduct drone delivery trials in the United Kingdom. This comes after the concept of using drones has been in the news for some time, with both Google and Amazon in the United States conducting trials as well. The online retail giant will test its drones by delivering small packages in collaboration with the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Additionally, the drones will be tested with sensors to ensure that they are able to navigate around obstacles on their own. This is a significant development for the field of logistics technology. There is a possibility that Amazon may ultimately utilize drones to transport packages that weigh up to 2.3 kilograms. In contrast to the United States, where the Federal Aviation Administration mandates that drones must be tested inside the line of sight, it seems that testing in the United Kingdom will be allowed to be carried out on a somewhat less strict basis. Amazon will not only be authorized to test drones in regions that are not inside the line of sight, such as suburban and rural areas, but it will also be permissible for a single operator to handle many drones at the same time. The approval of drone testing in the United Kingdom comes only a few days after the announcement of Amazon Flex, which gives automobile drivers the opportunity to deliver packages by Amazon in their leisure time, provided that they pass the tests that are conducted by the store. Paul Misner, the Vice President of Global Innovation Policy and Communications at Amazon, stated that the announcement regarding drones “strengthens our partnership with the United Kingdom and brings Amazon closer to our goal of using drones to safely deliver packages to customers in the United Kingdom and elsewhere around the world.” This statement was made in response to the announcement made by Amazon and the Chief Executive Officer of the Consumer Affairs Agency. In the meanwhile, the CAA has indicated interest in learning how drones may be used properly in response to Amazon’s testing. This comes after the CAA had earlier issued a warning on the use of drones by private and hobbyist users. Tim Johnson, the head of policy for the CAA, commenting: “In order to facilitate the innovation that results from the development of drone technology, we want to integrate drones into the aviation system in a secure manner via the process of integration. Our policies and our future approach will be improved as a result of these tests conducted by Amazon.” There may be a need for a different set of talents. This significant shift in the manner in which items are delivered may very well result in the creation of a large number of new positions, which will, in turn, need the acquisition of a set of skills that were not previously considered necessary in the supply chain and logistics sectors. The fact that drones are a relatively new technology means that it will be somewhat challenging to find individuals who possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to work with them in a manner that is both safe and correct. This, in turn, will make the need for efficient logistics and supply chain recruitment solutions more pressing than it has ever been. It is recommended that you get in touch with Bis Henderson, a recruitment consultant that has won several awards, for further information about recruiting within the logistics and supply chain business.