Amazon drone delivery now expanding

Last year, we reported on the introduction of Prime Air, Amazon’s first drone delivery service. It has been a long and arduous process, involving years of testing, development and FAA approval. However, the last 12 months have seen a huge progression in its development. So, where do we stand on Amazon drone delivery now?

The MK30 Amazon delivery drone

After testing in select areas in the U.S and the UK over the last 12 months, including California, Texas and Darlington, to name a few, Amazon drone delivery is going from strength to strength. With the introduction of the new MK30 drone, they are now able to fly in light rain and deliver packages up to 5 pounds in under an hour. It uses “sense and avoid” technology that allows them to detect and avoid obstacles, including pets, people and properties. This latest model is quite a big beast, but safer and quieter than any other drone they’ve created.

That being said, they still don’t offer deliveries in extreme weather conditions. They currently use a 75-minute weather forecast system to assess whether they can complete delivery within the next hour. If they aren’t able to, Amazon drone delivery is not available on the app, but customers can still opt for standard delivery methods.

More products added for drone delivery

Customers can now choose from over 60,000 products for drone delivery. Whilst they can still only accommodate products up to 5lbs in weight, the FAA have now approved several new categories of items. These include:

• Apple iPhones
• Samsung Galaxy cellphones
• Apple Airpods
• Apple AirTags
• Ring doorbells

And rather randomly, Alpha Grillers Instant Read Food Thermometers. Hey, someone out there needs one…and they need it in the next 60 minutes!

We suspect Amazon will continue to gain FAA approval for more items as time progresses. More than likely, they are also focusing on developing their drone’s weight-carrying capabilities to continue their Prime Air expansion.

Streamlining delivery points

Originally for Prime Air deliveries, a customer would be sent a QR code to place in their designated delivery area for the drone to locate. Now, the process has been streamlined, eliminating the QR step entirely.

If a customer lives in one of the eligible areas, they will automatically see drone delivery as an option on the Amazon app or Amazon.com. You then select your preferred delivery spot at your address, such as the driveway or garden, using their digital map.

These maps create a seamless process, taking out the need for a physical survey of the delivery area. This way, they can accurately determine a near-exact delivery time within 5 minutes, and let you know if delivery can’t be completed.

Creating these digital maps was no mean feat. With their map, Amazon first identified delivery zones – areas free of obstacles like buildings or trees. Then they added delivery points to each eligible address. These were locations that were clear of obstacles, reachable by drone and provided a good customer experience.

Safety checks before delivery

Once the drone arrives at its delivery point, it completes a few final checks before executing delivery. Most importantly, it ensures it has the right package for the right location. It then descends to 13 feet – low enough to safely and securely deliver – and checks for any pets, cars or people before drop-off. This perception system provides an extra safety measure, as things can change in the drone’s immediate vicinity, and certain things won’t show up on satellite imagery.

Prime Air is the next stage in Amazon’s goal of creating a fast and convenient shopping experience for customers. These latest developments are just the beginnings of their continued expansion, and we’re sure we’ll be seeing Prime Air available in more locations before the year is out.

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