Amazon Is Prime for Air Delivery

Partnership with the U.K. government will explore steps to make parcel delivery via drones a reality.

July 27, 2016

SEATTLE – Not to be outdone by 7-Eleven, Amazon is testing drone delivery in the United Kingdom.

Amazon announced a partnership with the U.K. government to explore the steps needed to make the delivery of parcels by small drones a reality, allowing Amazon to try out new methods of testing its delivery systems.

A cross-government team supported by the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has provided Amazon with permissions to explore three key innovations: beyond line of sight operations in rural and suburban areas; testing sensor performance to make sure the drones can identify and avoid obstacles; and flights where one person operates multiple highly-automated drones.

“Using small drones for the delivery of parcels will improve customer experience, create new jobs in a rapidly growing industry, and pioneer new sustainable delivery methods to meet future demand,” said Paul Misener, Amazon’s vice president of global innovation policy and communications. “The U.K. is charting a path forward for drone technology that will benefit consumers, industry and society.”

The CAA will be fully involved to explore the potential for safe use of drones beyond line of sight. The outcomes of these tests will help inform the development of future policy and regulation in this area. “We want to enable the innovation that arises from the development of drone technology by safely integrating drones into the overall aviation system,” said Tim Johnson, CAA policy director. “These tests by Amazon will help inform our policy and future approach.”

Amazon also announced Prime Air, a future delivery system designed to safely get packages up to five pounds to customers in 30 minutes or less using small drones.

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