Amazon has confirmed that it will start using airborne drones in the UK next year for distributing goods from one of its same-day delivery sites.
The online giant already offers drone deliveries in two US states (California and Texas) for goods weighing no more than 5lbs (2.2kg). It is now beginning to roll out the system, with the UK and Italy the first international units to use the unmanned drones.
The company previously trialled an early version of the Prime Air delivery system in Cambridgeshire in 2016. It has not been confirmed where in the UK it will start using the delivery drones next year.
A statement from the company said: “As part of our continued efforts to innovate for customers, we are excited to announce the expansion of Prime Air delivery internationally, for the first time outside the US.
“We have been delivering packages by drone for almost a year in California and in Texas. We have built a safe, reliable delivery service and have partnered very closely with regulators and communities.
“We will continue with that collaboration into the future to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers and the communities we serve.”
Customers will be able to choose from thousands of items which weigh 5lbs or less, from washing up liquid and toothbrushes, to beauty products and batteries, to fill a ‘shoe-box size’ package.
Speaking to the BBC, David Carbon, VP of Amazon Prime Air, said: “What our customers will do is jump on to the Amazon website, they’ll select drone delivery if it’s available in their area, they’ll order their product….and that will then set off the chain of events that goes to our ground system that finds the customer’s yard, drops package off where they asked it, and we’re out of there.”
Amazon stated that it has been working with the government and aviation authorities to reintroduce the drones into the UK airspace.
The company revealed that the latest drone it will use for deliveries, known as the MK30, is quieter and can fly twice as far and in more diverse weather than the previous version.
NAM Implications:
- Novelty alone should ensure an increase in drone-delivered sales.
- Patently, customers will need secure (protected) landing sites…
- …or a meeting with the drone on arrival.
- That said, anticipate a rapid roll-out…
