Drones have definitely made a significant impact on our daily lives. Initially, they were mainly used for recreational purposes, but they have now become ubiquitous and are used for various applications. One such application is the delivery of goods. Many countries are now embracing the concept of unmanned aerial vehicles delivering packages right to our doorstep.
Amazon is one of the companies that has implemented drone delivery in the U.S. Last year, they sold a whopping $45.9 billion worth of products, which is a lot of money to handle when it comes to deliveries.
In 2022, they introduced Prime Air, a delivery service that uses small drones to transport packages, including pharmaceuticals, to customers. The drones, named MK27-2, have an impressive flying capability of up to 394 feet (120 meters) and can travel at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph). They can serve customers within a nine-mile (14 km) radius from their starting point and carry up to five pounds (2.3 kg) of weight.
Drone delivery has several advantages over traditional means. They can deliver goods even in areas where there are no roads or air routes, making it possible for Amazon to deliver products in under an hour. Amazon has already made thousands of deliveries using drones and plans to expand the service to more areas in the future. The company will now bring the service to Arizona’s West Valley of the Phoenix Metro Area later this year.
With this new location in Tolleson, drones will be able to deploy from facilities right next to Amazon’s Same-Day Delivery site, which is a hybrid of a fulfillment center and a delivery station. This setup allows it to fulfill, sort, and deliver products all in one place, making it possible for the company to get packages out to its customers even faster.
The Same-Day Delivery sites are strategically located near large metro areas, which means that the customers can receive their orders in record time. Additionally, its connections to the larger Amazon fulfillment centers nearby make it possible for the company to offer Same-Day Delivery on millions of items.
Amazon is currently working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local officials in Tolleson to obtain all necessary permissions to conduct these deliveries in Tolleson. Once all the necessary approvals are received, they plan to begin reaching out to customers in the West Valley so they can receive drone deliveries when the service goes live later this year.
“As Amazon embarks on the national expansion of its Amazon Drone Delivery Program, we’re proud to have their innovative presence in our community. By bringing this service to new communities, they’re not just delivering goods; they’re delivering opportunities and economic growth for all,” said Juan F. Rodriguez, mayor of Tolleson. “Amazon’s commitment to innovation exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our city forward.”
Amazon is currently working on a new drone called the MK30. This drone is designed to deliver packages to customers with smaller backyards and in densely populated suburban areas. The drone comes with some innovative safety-critical features that are designed to make the delivery process more efficient and safer.
The MK30 is also quieter than the current drone and can fly twice as far. Unlike the current drone, which can only fly during clear weather, the new drone can operate in more diverse weather conditions, including light rain.
The company is currently conducting flight tests for the new drone in their indoor and outdoor test facilities. They plan to use the data collected during these tests to demonstrate to regulators around the world the reliability of their system. The company plans to start making deliveries to customers using the new MK30 drone later this year.
