It’s not much to look at as a marketing video, but this demo of Amazon‘s proposed drone delivery system is certainly earning a lot of attention (3 million-plus views in less than two days). The online retailer suggests it could deliver packages (likely with strict size and weight limitations) to customers within 30 minutes using remotely controlled helicopter drones (which has itself become a pretty cheap consumer product in its own right).
The use of drones such as this is starting to cause some public debate. While YouTube is rife with vids of individuals showing off gorgeous DIY aerial photography, the authorities are debating whether police should have greater authority to use them in urban areas for surveillance. Where does a commercial enterprise fit into that landscape?
We’re excited to share Prime Air — something the team has been working on in our next generation R&D lab.
The goal of this new delivery system is to get packages into customers’ hands in 30 minutes or less using unmanned aerial vehicles.
Putting Prime Air into commercial use will take some number of years as we advance the technology and wait for the necessary FAA rules and regulations.
