Hardis Group, the French IT company, has developed a drone that could play a paramount role in the future of supply-chain logistics.

The device, which is strictly made to be used indoors, is designed to automatically perform stock-checks and take warehouse inventories, according to a report published by LSA.

One of its distinguishing features is its ability to 'work' during the night so that it can process an inventory earlier in the following working day. Vital supply-chain information can thus be collected around the clock.

The model's flight routes are preset, and any given drone possesses an in-built map of the warehouse for which it is programmed.

One of its design features is a camera that can be used to communicate important information to warehouse and logistics staff. Furthermore, it has a tracking device to allow those working with it to pinpoint where it is in a warehouse if it spots something amiss (or, indeed, missing) within the stock.

The technology was designed in the Hardis Group plant at Grenoble, in south-eastern France.