6/26

Good piece by Farhad Manjoo in the New York Times.  He and I basically agree that Amazon is unlikely to reduce use of UPS and other third-party logistics providers... even as it increases internal delivery capacity.  Based on recent discussions and research, Manjoo concludes that drones are a fundamental piece of Amazon's long-term strategy. Drones may be the only way for Amazon to continue meeting customer expectations as other transportation avenues approach gridlock.  Manjoo makes an interesting case that drones are one way to do an end-run on the realities set out by the Department of Transportation's report  Beyond Traffic 2045.  One quick quote: "...if we don’t change, in 2045, the transportation system that powered our rise as a nation will instead slow us down. Transit systems will be so backed up that riders will wonder not just when they will get to work, but if they will get there at all. At the airports, and on the highway, every day will be like Thanksgiving is today."