On March 22, 2018 PriestmanGoode, London-based design consultancy, showcased their vision for an integrated drone delivery system for major urban centres.
The concept, revealed at the GREAT Festival of Innovation in Hong Kong, was developed to show how a drone-based solution could be integrated into cities to relieve road congestion and solve the “last mile parcel delivery challenge”.
The video showcases the system, named Dragonfly, in action with a routine delivery – the drones leave from a floating autonomous mobile platform, acting as a charging station and distribution point, with their designated parcels and pass between buildings as they make their way to the delivery location.
Once they have arrived the drones dock with landing pads that, according to PriestmanGoode, could be located on the side of buildings or on rooftops.
Dragonfly drone concept, courtsey of PriestmanGoode
Read the “Security Drone Cameras at Abu Dhabi Ports Company” for further reading on the utilization of drones in the port sector
Chairman of PriestmanGoode Paul Priestman said: “The rise in online retail is adding more vehicles to already congested roads, contributing to poor air quality.
Combine that with rapid population growth in our cities and we have a problem.”
Dragonfly drone holding package for delivery, courtsey of PriestmanGoode
Marcus Fairs, founder and editor-in-chief of Dezeen (who are producing a documentary later this year heavily featuring the Dragonfly concept) said: “Drones have the potential to revolutionise not just the way goods are delivered in cities but also, eventually, how people travel, the way buildings are constructed and the way cities function.”