Amazon Air Prime is making its debut and the company's drones are now in the air and delivering parcels. The project is currently underway in two cities in the United States: College Station in Texas and Lockeford in California.
It seems that Amazon Prime Air is starting as a test with just a small number of package deliveries heading into the new year celebrations.
The debut is possible after Amazon received a green light from the Federal Aviation Administration of the United States of America in August. That approval allows the company to use drones. Speaking of the aircraft, they carry a maximum payload of 5 pounds (2.25KG). Not a lot, but enough to handle 85 per cent of all Amazon shipments.
Customers in both cities can now register to participate in the program. However, Amazon will first assess their address and confirm if air deliveries are possible.
“The drone will fly to the designated delivery location, descend to the customer's backyard, and hover at a safe height,” Amazon says. “It will then safely release the package and rise back up to altitude.”
“We want to securely take our drones up into the air” adds Natalie Banke, an Amazon Air representative in a statement. “We are starting in these locations(Lockeford, California and College Station, Texas) and will progressively extend delivery to additional customers over time.”
New Drone
Back in November, Amazon announced development of a new advanced drone. Known as the MK30 drone, the unmanned autonomous vehicle (UAV) will drive Amazon's vision to have drones in the sky delivering packages to customers. So, when you order a new fridge magnet in the future, it may come via the MK30.
According to the company, it will be ready to take to the air for official duty in 2024 and will be quieter and fly further than previous drones. More importantly, it will also function in hot temperatures and light rain.
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