Amazon has announced that its free drone delivery service will debut in the tiny California town of Lockeford, answering a long-standing question over where the Prime Air service would be introduced initially.
The company’s long-promised drone delivery service, which it had previously stated will begin “within months” in 2019, has yet to get past the testing phase despite years of costly expenditure.
The company’s long-promised drone deliveries, which it had stated would commence “within months” in 2019, have struggled to get past the testing phase despite years of costly expenditure.
The first-ever Amazon drone delivery occurred in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in December 2016, as part of a test run for which the business received special permission; nevertheless, a continuous Prime Air delivery service has yet to launch.
The drones can fly up to 15 miles and carry products weighing less than five pounds (2.2kg) in less than 30 minutes, but only during the day and in clear weather conditions.
Before settling on a hexagonal model with specially-designed silent propellers, the company went through more than two dozen drone prototype designs for its Prime Airline.
Just over 3,500 people reside in Lockeford, which is located around 40 miles south of Sacramento, the state capital of California.
Amazon announced the trial by noting the community’s historical ties to the aviation sector, citing flight pioneer Weldon Cooke as an example.
“We are collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration and local Lockeford officials to acquire a clearance to perform these deliveries, and we will continue to do so in the future,” the company added.
Customers who can participate in the experiment will see items on Amazon that are Prime Air-eligible.
The drone will fly to the location, hover, and then descend.
“They will place an order as usual and receive an estimated delivery date and order status tracker,” the company explained.
“The drone will fly to the set delivery area, descend to the customer’s backyard, and hover at a safe height for these deliveries. It will then release the product safely and return to altitude “said Amazon.
