It may sound like a science fiction movie, but Amazon plans to deliver packages to customer’s homes within 30 minutes using flying drones- but the service won’t be ready for another 5 years. The drones, called ‘Octocopters’, could deliver packages weighing up to 2.3kg to customers within 30 minutes of them placing the order, placed […]
It may sound like a science fiction movie, but Amazon plans to deliver packages to customer’s homes within 30 minutes using flying drones- but the service won’t be ready for another 5 years.
The drones, called ‘Octocopters’, could deliver packages weighing up to 2.3kg to customers within 30 minutes of them placing the order, placed neatly at their frond door.
The plan was announced on the CBS show 60 minutes, and Amazon has since posted a video and a Frequently Asked Questions page.
“I know this looks like science fiction, but it’s not,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos told CBS television’s 60 Minutes programme. “We can do half-hour delivery… and we can carry objects, we think, up to five pounds (2.3kg), which covers 86% of the items that we deliver.”
The biggest obstacle for Amazon may not be technological, but rather legal.
The company claims to be ready to launch in 2015, so long as the FAA’s rules allow for them to enable air delivery.
Currently small drones like those Amazon plans to use, are not permitted to fly in U.S. airspace without special permission.
The FAA’s primary concerns regarding drones in U.S. airspace revolve around safety, particularly the drone’s inability to sense and avoid other aircraft.
However, some groups are also concerned with the privacy implications of drones equipped with cameras.
Civilian air space is expected to be opened up to all kinds of drones in the US by 2015 and in Europe by 2016.
View the Amazon announcement here
