AI-Driven Autonomous Drone Delivery: An Empirical Study of Consumer Awareness, Trust, and Adoption

The rapid expansion of e-commerce has significantly increased the demand for faster and more efficient delivery systems. Traditional delivery methods often face challenges such as traffic congestion, high fuel costs, delays, and environmental concerns. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled autonomous drones have emerged as a promising solution for last-mile delivery. This study adopts an empirical approach based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire. It examines consumer awareness, perception, willingness to adopt, and trust in AI-based drone delivery services. The findings reveal that while awareness and perceived benefits are high, actual adoption remains limited due to concerns related to cost, safety, and trust. The study concludes that AI-driven drone delivery has strong future potential, but its success depends on improving affordability, regulatory support, and consumer confidence.