Because of his great age, Santa Claus spent much of the spring shielding, and rigorous COVID-secure safety regulations have greatly reduced the elves’ infamous productivity.

Nevertheless, the world’s children need festive cheer more than ever this year, and Santa’s little helpers have pulled out all the stops to prepare everything on time.

But how will Santa deliver his presents this winter?

What’s certain is he can’t rely on his age-old sleigh. How could so many reindeer be socially-distanced on the journey? Plus, Santa can’t enter Tier 2 or Tier 3 homes. Would presents be restricted to the Isle of Wight this season?

One solution mooted by AI experts at the University of Southampton is a swarm of autonomous drones. Uninhabited Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can efficiently synchronise their deliveries and are much more obedient than restless reindeer.