It’s being predicted the global autonomous delivery market will grow to US$4.9 billion (£3.5 billion) by 2030.

The American website Modern Shipper quotes a new report from consultancy MarketsandMarkets predicting the sector will grow at a 21.5% compound annual growth rate.

The report, “Autonomous Last Mile Delivery Market by Platform,” cited the advancement of sense and avoid systems in aerial delivery drones, expansion of e-commerce and increased use of low-cost and light payload drones by startups for product delivery.

The report breaks the growth down by platform, combining ground delivery vehicles such as self-driving trucks and vans and delivery robots into one group and cargo and delivery drones into another.

Modern Shipper says use of autonomous vehicles, regardless of platform, could reduce last-mile delivery costs for the retail industry between 80% and 90%. “Furthermore, advancement in technology for autonomous ground delivery vehicles and increase in venture funding for the development of next-level ground delivery vehicles has enhanced the market growth,” it said.

(Picture – Asda/Wayve)