Emerging Technologies

The Delivery Revolution: Are people ready to embrace drones and robots?

A person holding a drone

Drones and robots are increasingly being used for deliveries. Image: Unsplash/David Henrichs

Martin Armstrong
Data Journalist, Statista
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Technological Transformation

  • Delivery robots and drones have been operating in the streets and skies of a number of countries.
  • Remote and contact-free delivery techniques proved effective during COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Despite this, Statista's Global Consumer Survey shows the level of readiness for this technology is still relatively low and varies from country to country.

It may still sound like something from science fiction to those living outside of the world's largest and economically advanced cities, but delivery robots and drones have been operating in the streets and skies for quite a while already. During the lockdown periods of the Covid-19 pandemic, this fast and contactless form of parcel delivery has shown its value for the future of logistics.

As data from Statista's Global Consumer Survey shows though, the level of readiness for this technology is still relatively low and varies quite a lot from country to country. According to the October 2021 survey, China is the most prepared for the delivery revolution, with over a quarter of respondents saying they would prefer to receive deliveries from either robots or drones in the future.

Germany finds itself at the other end of the scale where just 10 and 14 percent of people taking part in the survey showed willingness to use robots and drones, respectively.

Have you read?
Share of online purchasers saying they would prefer to use the following delivery methods of the future.
Share of online purchasers saying they would prefer to use the following delivery methods of the future. Image: Statista
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Emerging TechnologiesFourth Industrial Revolution
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