Does Amazon Use Drones? (Here Is the Latest Development)

Amazon has been a pioneer in utilizing technology to improve its delivery services. One such technology that has gained significant attention in recent years is the use of drones for delivery. If you're interested in that, join us!

Drone deliveries have become a reality, with more cafes, supermarkets, and online shops utilizing this technology. This will significantly improve how customers get groceries, drinks, and other items delivered to them.

Even though drone delivery is still new, more and more delivery companies are running trials to adopt this convenient delivery system. Therefore, with more retailers adopting drone technology, you may wonder whether the e-commerce giant Amazon uses drones.

Keep reading to learn more about the Amazon drone delivery system.

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Does Amazon Use Drones?

Amazon plans on developing Prime Air, a drone delivery service that will enable faster delivery to customers in a safe and scalable way. It is building fully autonomous drones that deliver packages to customers in less than 60 minutes. For a package to be delivered by drone, it had to fit in its cargo box and weigh less than 5 pounds. Even though the program was announced in 2013, Amazon is still researching and developing it (as of this writing).

When Did Amazon Start Using Drones?

Amazon started experimenting with drone deliveries in 2013 as a move to get packages to customers in less than 60 minutes. When Amazon Adopted the Amazon Prime two-day delivery system, its objective was to deliver products to their customers within a few days. Therefore, it has continuously developed new technologies and invested in transforming its logistics network.

That's why Amazon strives to achieve doorstep delivery in less than an hour using Prime Air drones. Amazon Prime drones would land, drop off packages to their customers, and then fly away. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos estimated this project would take from four to five years to become a reality. In 2016, Amazon had a successful test.

After receiving a green light from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin drone operations, Amazon has made great strides toward making drone delivery a reality. However, you'll only be comfortable having your items delivered by drone if you know that their systems are safe and reliable. With setbacks like flying risks, layoffs, workload surges, and an unrealistic work environment, the future of Prime Air remains uncertain.

How Do Amazon Drones Work?

Amazon will use autonomous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for its Prime Air delivery service. The idea behind Prime Air delivery is to deliver packages in less than an hour using drones. The Amazon Prime Air delivery drone is a hybrid multicopper or fixed-wing drone that uses electric power from rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. When you place your order on Amazon, you'll have the option to select Prime Air delivery.

Amazon will process your request and route it to the fulfillment center close to your delivery address. After receiving your order, it will be packaged and placed in a carrying container designed for drones. The package will then be attached to the drone and launched vertically to a flying altitude of at most 400 ft using the powered lift.

Amazon delivery drones would carry packages weighing up to 5 pounds and deliver to locations less than 10 miles from the fulfillment center. To understand their surroundings, the drones will be equipped with GPS as well as visual and thermal sensors. This would help them avoid obstacles and reach their destination safely.

After reaching its destination, the drone must scan the area, find a safe landing spot and then drop off the package. It would then return to the fulfillment center, where it would go for another delivery. You should remember that Amazon is still testing its drone delivery services, learning from them, and updating its systems to ensure safety and autonomy.

How Much Can Amazon Drones Carry

Amazon drones will only carry packages that weigh up to 5 pounds. While that may seem small, Amazon claims that more than 75% of its packages weigh less than that. The packages must also be small enough to fit into the drone's carrying container. Technically, Amazon is testing various vehicle designs to find a model that best fits different environments. Amazon strives to develop efficient, stable, and safe delivery drones.

Amazon's Approach to Ensuring the Safety of Prime Air Drones

With Amazon planning to adopt a drone delivery system, many safety concerns come into question. Amazon assures its customers that it will ensure its drones are safe and reliable. Their sense and avoid system will ensure that the drones detect and stay away from any obstacles in the air and on the ground. Even when faced with new and unexpected events, the drone will be required to make safe decisions automatically.

Amazon will put its drones through rigorous testing and evaluation to satisfy the requirements of operating drones safely. They will safely test the drone's limits in a controlled area and ensure that the drones they use are safe.

What Company will Amazon Use for Drones?

While Amazon has not specified which external companies it will use for its Prime Air drones, it's holding talks with third-party various third-party manufacturers. Unfortunately, in 2019, Amazon fired most employees developing, manufacturing, and working on their Prime Air drones. However, it plans on working with FACC Aerospace and Aernnova Aerospace to handle its drone development project. Even though no deal has materialized, Amazon desires to work with more companies to bring its drone project to life.

Does Amazon Use Drones in Warehouses?

Unfortunately, Amazon does not use drones in its warehouses. However, Amazon plans to use bubble-like drones equipped with claws to grab items off shelves and assemble them. Amazon also received a patent to set up an Airborne fulfillment center (AFC) which would look like an airship or a blimp that floats at an altitude of around 45,000 feet. It would also establish flying warehouses loaded with products and Prime Air delivery drones to deliver them to customers.

Conclusion

Using drones to deliver orders is a more environmentally friendly service that can help reduce road congestion. It also brings many benefits to its customers, allowing them to enjoy less than one-hour deliveries. However, there is no room for error to ensure that drones safely deliver orders to their customers. While it might be quite challenging for Amazon to integrate the drone delivery service into its logistics network, it is regularly testing and evaluating its drone delivery system to ensure it becomes a reality.