Drones in last-mile delivery: A systematic review on Efficiency, Accessibility, and Sustainability

With the rise of e-commerce, there has been a surge in demand for efficient and accessible last-mile delivery options, leading to the examination of promising new technologies such as drones. However, the current research on drone applications in last-mile delivery is limited, often needing more comprehensive analysis and frameworks. This systematic literature review comprehensively analyzes 55 interdisciplinary studies to address this gap, focusing on critical aspects such as consumer accessibility, potential cost savings, and environmental sustainability. The review identifies significant gaps in current research, including the failure to explain how drone-delivered packages will increase consumer accessibility and frequently excluded key assumptions such as weather, flight duration, and battery capacity. Additionally, current research primarily focuses on drone deliveries in the United States, neglecting other regions such as Africa and Asia. This review provides valuable insights for academics, government agencies, and practitioners seeking to understand and develop sustainable drone delivery solutions.