Amazon promises speedy drone deliveries in the UK
Amazon has announced the upcoming launch of ultra-fast drone deliveries in the UK., Italy, and one more U.S. state. The online retailer said the service will arrive in these new locations by the end of 2024.
Already, drone deliveries are present in California and Texas in the U.S., and Amazon is eyeing a third state for its next rollout. In the U.S., these drones deliver packages that weigh no more than five pounds or 2.2 kilograms. The service took years to execute, finally gaining approval through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local officials in California, where it first launched.
Amazon has been working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK to ensure regulations around the technology and air safety are met. The service will first roll out in one specific location in the country, which is yet to be revealed but will be named in the coming months. Customers will be able to choose from thousands of deliverable items that can fill a "shoe-box size package".
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"We have been delivering packages by drone for almost a year in California and in Texas," David Carbon, VP of Amazon Prime Air, said in a statement. "We have built a safe, reliable delivery service and have partnered very closely with regulators and communities."
As a part of the expansion of Prime Air, the company is unveiling a new drone design, which the company deems "quieter, smaller, and lighter" than before. The MK30 drone will be able to fly twice as far as previous models and can carry out deliveries in "more diverse weather conditions." They also hold "sense and avoid" technology that will allow the drones to avoid obstacles. The design and testing came together after 18 months, reports Amazon.
In the UK and Italy, these drones will be integrated into a select number of centers. In the U.S., drones will now operate out of Same-Day delivery stations.
The UK government's aviation minister Baroness Vere said Amazon's plan will help "boost the economy" while keeping "the environment clean with zero emission technology." Vere said they have a "shared vision" for commercial drones to be commonplace in the country by 2030.
Amazon isn't the only retailer eyeing new and improved ways to reach customers. Walmart tested a drone delivery service in 2020, which is now a reality. Uber, meanwhile, has also been testing autonomous deliveries for a while now.
