Amazon is upping the game with its ‘revolutionary’ 60-minute drone delivery service
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The future is here.
Drones are now being utilised for ultra-fast package delivery, and a new aircraft model developed by Amazon brings this futuristic vision closer to reality.
Amazon just revealed their plans to take drone delivery to the next level with the launch of its advanced MK30 drone, which the company says can deliver packages as big as a shoe box—including medicines—and up to 2.3kg to homes within 60 minutes of ordering.
'While the size and weight might sound small ... it represents the vast percentage of what our customers want,' David Carbon, Vice President of Prime Air, said.
'We've been operating for the last 12 months, and what we've found out is that customers need an order of AA batteries, health products and [pharmacy] goods more than anything else, and they love getting them in under 60 minutes.'
The Australia-born executive, who used to work at Boeing, said that the MK30 proved to be a lot safer than driving to the shops during its test flights, where it delivered thousands of packages.
The learning and visual system of the MK30 was reportedly able to detect unexpected obstacles '100 per cent of the time'.
'The beauty of this perception system is that it detects and avoids objects, even if they weren't there the day before, such as...a freshly planted tree or a crane that's been moved into our path.'
These drones have been operational for Amazon for a year in two US locations.
Amazon has also announced that it will expand the program internationally, specifically in Italy, the UK, and one more additional city in the US by the end of 2025.
The MK30 drones are being operated out of same-day delivery sites and can reportedly fly twice as far as previous Amazon drones.
According to Carbon, the sophisticated machine showcased its ability to navigate wind gusts and light rain after ‘millions of simulations’ and thousands of test flights to identify and smoothly navigate any obstacles.
In its test location in Texas, customers got prescription medications dropped outside their door. This has relieved the burden on sick, elderly, and isolated people.
It is also said that the system can narrow what is known as the ‘golden window’ in medicine or the time between the onset of the symptoms and getting proper treatment.
However, regulations in multiple countries have been a hurdle for Amazon’s drone ambitions as people are concerned about the safety of fleets of unmanned aircraft in the skies.
Amazon is reportedly working closely with regulators and governments to integrate drone deliveries in their jurisdiction.
With promising results so far, Carbon hopes the MK30 could help expand drone delivery services internationally to more customers.
Drone deliveries aren’t a new concept here in Australia too.
In March 2022, Coles trialled a drone delivery service to select suburbs in the ACT. Seven months later, they expanded the trial to the Gold Coast in QLD.
Members, would you also want to see these drone deliveries in your area? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Drones are now being utilised for ultra-fast package delivery, and a new aircraft model developed by Amazon brings this futuristic vision closer to reality.
Amazon just revealed their plans to take drone delivery to the next level with the launch of its advanced MK30 drone, which the company says can deliver packages as big as a shoe box—including medicines—and up to 2.3kg to homes within 60 minutes of ordering.
Amazon just released their latest MK30 drone model to be used for deliveries. Image source: Amazon / Prime Air.
'While the size and weight might sound small ... it represents the vast percentage of what our customers want,' David Carbon, Vice President of Prime Air, said.
'We've been operating for the last 12 months, and what we've found out is that customers need an order of AA batteries, health products and [pharmacy] goods more than anything else, and they love getting them in under 60 minutes.'
The Australia-born executive, who used to work at Boeing, said that the MK30 proved to be a lot safer than driving to the shops during its test flights, where it delivered thousands of packages.
The learning and visual system of the MK30 was reportedly able to detect unexpected obstacles '100 per cent of the time'.
'The beauty of this perception system is that it detects and avoids objects, even if they weren't there the day before, such as...a freshly planted tree or a crane that's been moved into our path.'
These drones have been operational for Amazon for a year in two US locations.
Amazon has also announced that it will expand the program internationally, specifically in Italy, the UK, and one more additional city in the US by the end of 2025.
The MK30 drones are being operated out of same-day delivery sites and can reportedly fly twice as far as previous Amazon drones.
According to Carbon, the sophisticated machine showcased its ability to navigate wind gusts and light rain after ‘millions of simulations’ and thousands of test flights to identify and smoothly navigate any obstacles.
In its test location in Texas, customers got prescription medications dropped outside their door. This has relieved the burden on sick, elderly, and isolated people.
It is also said that the system can narrow what is known as the ‘golden window’ in medicine or the time between the onset of the symptoms and getting proper treatment.
However, regulations in multiple countries have been a hurdle for Amazon’s drone ambitions as people are concerned about the safety of fleets of unmanned aircraft in the skies.
Amazon is reportedly working closely with regulators and governments to integrate drone deliveries in their jurisdiction.
With promising results so far, Carbon hopes the MK30 could help expand drone delivery services internationally to more customers.
Drone deliveries aren’t a new concept here in Australia too.
In March 2022, Coles trialled a drone delivery service to select suburbs in the ACT. Seven months later, they expanded the trial to the Gold Coast in QLD.
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