Amazon has unveiled its ambitious plan to introduce autonomous drone delivery in the UK and Italy, marking its first international expansion of the Prime Air program.
Set to launch in late 2024, this move comes after the e-commerce giant initiated drone delivery services in the US less than a year ago.
A Decade-Long Dream Takes Off
According to Amazon's latest blog, the announcement aligns with its decade-old vision to revolutionize the delivery industry using drones. According to its plan, it will disseminate delivery drones in two new countries next year.
In doing so, Amazon envisions to transport 500 million packages via autonomous airmail by the end of 2030.
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Not Like Other Delivery Drones
Amazon has proven that it could go beyond the normal purpose of drones by rolling out the new MK30 model. This drone is intended to fly first in the UK and Italy soon, according to The Guardian.
Unlike the existing drones, the MK30 eliminates the need for dedicated delivery pads, offering more flexibility in the drop-off process. These drones are also built to operate in light rain, handle heavier winds, and conduct evening flights, making them more versatile.
"Amazon's announcement is a fantastic example of Government and industry coming together to achieve our shared vision for commercial drones to be commonplace in the UK by 2030," UK Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere said via TechRadar.
She added that Amazon's new batch of delivery drones will not only improve the economy but also aid the consumers to prefer a delivery service which promotes zero emission technology.
Slow Progress and New Expectations
Despite announcing its drone delivery concept in 2013, Amazon's progress has been relatively slow. While the company's Prime Air service launched in California and Texas in late 2022, the initial performance fell short of expectations, with just around 100 deliveries reported by May 2023.
However, the company emphasizes that its drone activity has since accelerated, with "thousands" of successful deliveries and an expanding customer base.
Are Amazon Prime Air Drones Safe?
Amazon remains committed to addressing safety concerns and regulatory requirements. With a keen eye on safety, the company asserts that using MK30 drones for deliveries will be "hundreds of times safer" than the conventional method of driving to a store.
While regulations currently mandate visual line-of-sight operations and the presence of observers, Amazon hopes for a framework change in the near future to enable beyond visual line-of-sight operations.
The introduction of drone delivery in the UK and Italy is a significant leap for Amazon, setting the stage for a new era in the world of e-commerce and package delivery.
The sky is limitless for Amazon which is extending its new service to the customers in a safer mode of transportation of products.
