Amazon Drone Unveiled

[lomax]

Yea it will happen , AS a publicity stunt. I am just not buying that I can order something up and they will put it in a drone and fly it out to Colorado from California. The only way I can see it is if they ship normally, Drive the delivery truck to the end of your street, and then fly it up to your door.

As I say, they will do it, film it, and publicize it to the max. But I see no practical application for decades to come.

But you are right, it will happen. Not in my lifetime.

 

[N017RW]

I guess if they deliver just one package you could claim it 'happened' but this is a long way off.
Technology notwithstanding, it's far from practical.

 

[bbfpv]

There are Amazon Lockers all over the place. If there were as many drone hubs as lockers, think of the money they'd save by reducing local delivery drivers, gas, vehicle maintenance, not to mention the shortest path btwn 2 points is a straight line...

 

[GoodnNuff]

I guess if they deliver just one package you could claim it 'happened' but this is a long way off.
Technology notwithstanding, it's far from practical.

You know Amazon is based here in Seattle, and I can tell you, this will be a reality.
There is little that is impractical about this, if you are familiar with their model;
Delivery ONLY in limited Urban areas. Delivery only within a 5 mile radius (they may extend that to 10 miles) of an Amazon fulfillment center. Etc.
I actually know some people who are working on this, and they don't work in the PR department.

I remember locals saying a year ago that Amazon Prime Now was a publicity stunt. But in Seattle, I can have items delivered within an hour from Amazon, if I pay the price.

A few years ago Amazon said they'd start a restaurant delivery service, people laughed. That service is operating in several cities as well. Not sure about where you live, but we also have Amazon Fresh here where I can do my grocery and produce shopping online as well.

 

[J.James]

t will have a very limited delivery area.
Someone could hijack a UPS delivery truck too - hasn't happened.

I'm surprised there are still people who can't fathom the reality of this.

Or maybe they can do what the post office in my home town of troy ny has to do from time to time in north troy or as most people refer to it as dodge city. The police some times have to go out and give armed escorts to the mail men. Even the fire dept dont go on calls in some areas there with out the cops Because people are so freaking stupid they will try to take pop shots at firemen and ems that are trying to help them.

and ups in some spots just says nope sorry we dont deliver there being un like the us mail they are not required by law to get the mail delivered. and can choose if an area is to risky.

 

[Trackman1]

They could only be local delivery's. They have to get there and home on a battery. Local delivery of a 5lb or less package by truck
is quite cheep and fairly often, over night. The cost to operate and maintain these drones won't be cheap.
I can see it being a novelty at first.

 

[kandelin16]

What if they had drone "launch pad trucks"? That could get around the 5mile radius problem, and the los problem. I can see a truck driving to point A, a bunch of drones fly away and deliver, and then meet up with truck at point b. Drones charge on truck while driven to next neighborhood.