HIGHLIGHTS
- Amazon announced that it will launch its first drone delivery service – Prime Air – in Lockeford, California, later this year, after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local officials.
- The drones themselves can fly up to 15 miles and deliver packages weighing more than 2.2kg in less than 30 minutes – but only during the day and in fine weather.
- According to media reports, Amazon’s drone program has been delayed as at least eight Amazon drones have crashed in the past year, and the Prime Air division is having a high rate.
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Formal decision after many delays
Amazon announced that it will launch its first drone delivery service – Prime Air – in Lockeford, California, later this year, after receiving approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local officials. According to internal Business Insider predictions, Charged Retail says Prime Air will cost $ 63 per pack by 2025. For comparison, the estimated cost to send a package to Amazon is around $ 4.50 to $ 5 per package when shipped through third-party delivery partners, citing a Wells Fargo report.
The drones themselves can fly up to 15 miles and deliver packages weighing more than 2.2kg in less than 30 minutes – but only during the day and in fine weather. The company went through more than two dozen prototype designs for its Prime Air drones, before coming up with a hexagonal model with specially designed quiet propellers.
Lockeford has a population of just over 3,500 and is about 40 miles south of the California capital, Sacramento. An Amazon spokesperson said the drone can carry packages weighing up to 5 pounds (about 2.2 kg) the size of a large shoe box. Items shipped in this form include household products, beauty articles, office supplies and technology equipment.
Amazon says it has built a sophisticated control system that allows drones to detect and avoid planes, people, pets and other obstacles to ensure flight safety and when approaching the face soil.
Competitors
Amazon’s announcement comes after Walmart. Last month, the company announced the expansion of its drone delivery service to 34 locations by the end of the year, potentially reaching 4 million US households across six states.
“Between 8 am and 8 pm, customers will be able to order from tens of thousands of qualifying items, such as Tylenol, diapers and hot dogs, for air delivery. Within 30 minutes, David Guggina, senior vice president of innovation and automation, Walmart US, said in a May 24 blog post. “For $ 3.99 shipping, customer can order items with a total value of up to £ 10, to put it simply, if it fits and is safe, it will fly ”.
Other major retailers and tech companies are currently developing their own drone programs. Alphabet’s drone delivery program, called Wing, launched this summer near Dallas – Fort Worth, offering prescriptions, pet medications, and ice cream. UPS is also developing a drone service.
According to media reports, Amazon’s drone program has been delayed as at least eight Amazon drones have crashed in the past year, and the Prime Air division is having a high rate. Employee change is 71% according to Business Insider reported in March. An April investigation by Bloomberg News concluded that despite spending $ 2 billion to develop the program and hiring more than 1,000 workers, Amazon had to delay a long delay before launching a delivery service. drone later this year.
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