Amazon has announced that it would begin using drones to deliver items before the end of the year.
The tech company has designated Lockeford, California as the test bed for sending out drivers entirely and carrying products into the air.
Instead of delivering goods to a front door, the drone will fly to a customer’s back garden, hover, and gently drop the product onto the ground before flying away.
It will be available solely to Prime members and, obviously, will be utilized for little items.
Amazon claims that its drones feature a ‘sense-and-avoid system’ that prevents them from colliding with stationary and moving objects while doing deliveries.
The drones course-correct to avoid obstructions and, while descending at a customer’s home, they ensure the surrounding area is clear for landing, according to Amazon.
Since establishing its ‘Prime Air’ branch in 2013, the corporation claims to have created two dozen various drone prototypes. The Federal Aviation Administration in the United States has given it permission to begin flying the drones in 2020.
Amazon wants their drones to be able to fly up to 15 miles (24 kilometers) and deliver products weighing no more than 5lb (2.3kg) in less than 30 minutes.
While there is no set timeframe for UK-based drone deliveries, Amazon is almost certain to introduce Prime Air to the UK. It actually conducted a successful trial of its previous drone type in Cambridge in 2016, accomplishing a delivery in 13 minutes.
Amazon isn’t the only company turning to the stars for a more efficient delivery system.
Royal Mail has announced intentions to expand its use of drones for delivery by establishing 50 new ‘postal drone routes.’
The British postal office stated that it plans to utilize up to 200 drones over the next three years to service all areas of the country.
The Isles of Scilly, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, and the Hebrides are among the new destinations for the new service.
‘On-time delivery regardless of our customers’ location or the weather, whilst protecting our environment, is our goal,’ chief executive of Royal Mail, Simon Thompson said.
He added that ‘Even though we go everywhere, Royal Mail already has the lowest CO2 emissions per parcel delivered. This initiative will help reduce our emissions even further’.