Last Mile and its Latest Changes in Express, Courier and Postal Services Bound to E-commerce

Abstract

Last mile delivery is influenced by both technology as well as customer requirements and their preferences. Recently, technologies such as drones, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or robots have come to the fore to deliver parcels to their addressees or authorised recipients, instead of delivering them solely by couriers or into letters or parcel lockers. It cannot be argued that delivery by courier or to letter or parcel lockers is unattractive, but, in terms of innovation, it is already possible to regard these forms of delivery as a standard that has been in practice for some time. It is therefore necessary to discuss technologies that have both automated elements and sensors or a certain degree of implemented intelligence. Drones and AGVs are just such devices. Thus, this paper is devoted to comparing the advantages and disadvantages of using drones and AGVs.