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Amazon unveils futuristic plan: Delivery by drone

by Joe Mobley
24 replies
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amazon drones - Bing Videos

What's the big idea here? The idea is half-our delivery.
Joe Mobley
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    With the limited range, limited payload, and security problems, I think this could take years to do. OK, they just said 4-5 years. I think THAT is too early. I'm betting OVER 5! HE thinks regulations are the key piece, and I think TECHNOLOGY is. The world IS working on it. They have been working on it for DECADES! The first success was probably a bit over a decade ago, and the last big one might have been a few years ago. They are STILL struggling though.

    Ironically, the two places that they MOST need this are the one that started the goal DECADES ago(ELECTRIC CARS), and small drones like amazons.

    Of course computers and the like will STILL benefit, but it isn't QUITE as necessary now, and they are modifying circuitry to reduce power usage.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author LynnM
      Is it April 1st?

      Posties will be up in arms! Can imagine some bored people using them for target practice too.
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  • Profile picture of the author DotComBum
    I think there will be more reports of UFO sightings. LOL
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Yeah, convenient. I don't like it. At all. At all.

    They'll put a stop to that stuff about the time the airplane crashes start in earnest.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      That was a good piece of reporting - and I found the Amazon CEO interesting.

      The drone stuff is for the future - could work in urban areas. I was pleased to see a company investing in potential new technology on a long term basis.

      More interesting to me in that interview were the views on profitability, on constantly increasing efficiency, etc. If they have that interview posted on the 60 minutes site - it's worth watching.

      When asked his views on complaints that huge companies like Amazon and WalMart and other online stores are putting smaller retailers out of business...his comment was that rapidly growing technology is putting some out of business. It makes sense.

      I didn't realize how huge Amazon's server banks were - that's impressive.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post

        I didn't realize how huge Amazon's server banks were - that's impressive.
        Amazon is one of the few companies that has ammased SO MUCH server potential that they are leasing it to companies for contingencies and offloading processing. An expensive product I deal with, that is targeted at HUGE companies, several years ago even came up with a version leased on amazons computers, and connectors to deal with data/processes on them.

        So yeah, they have a LOT!

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    Not sure about this one. It sounds interesting, but weather conditions would have to be just right, and you'd have to live close enough to a distribution center that the batteries wouldn't discharge before it gets back. - You also wouldn't be able to effectively deliver packages to apartment buildings, hi-rises, or any shared tenants. I just don't see how they make this one work. I'll be pleasantly surprised though if they do.
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  • Profile picture of the author goindeep
    Haha me and a couple mates where thinking about doing this with beer, lol
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    • Profile picture of the author DotComBum
      I already has a slogan for this service: It's a bird, it's a plane...it's Prime Air!!
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      • Profile picture of the author ErinWalsh
        Originally Posted by DotComBum View Post

        I already has a slogan for this service: It's a bird, it's a plane...it's Prime Air!!
        <<--Perfection!

        Seriously though this seems like a PR nightmare. What happens when something goes wrong? It just seems like there are too many what if scenarios to contend with.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Amazon is HUGE. Can you really imagine how many orders they deal with daily? Now put machines in the air for each of those orders. You are going to see people getting hurt, cars getting in accidents, plane collisions if those things go high enough or get too close to airport runways. It might be neat technology but it's absolutely ludicrous to think of the amount of low air-space flying traffic if corporations decide that this is a good idea. It's ludicrous.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Amazon is HUGE. Can you really imagine how many orders they deal with daily? Now put machines in the air for each of those orders. You are going to see people getting hurt, cars getting in accidents, plane collisions if those things go high enough or get too close to airport runways. It might be neat technology but it's absolutely ludicrous to think of the amount of low air-space flying traffic if corporations decide that this is a good idea. It's ludicrous.
      To be honest, pilots would likely get their license pulled if they flew that low! And you would have to be an IDIOT to fly things like that through air traffic channels like airports or military bases. Planes generally try to achieve the approved height ASAP! You COULD take care of that through mapping and GPS. Of course, that DOES bring up the fact that there are plenty of obstacles at the levels they fly at. Bump detection and the like doesn't cut it. SONAR may have a problem. So you would probably need RADAR to create a cushion of maybe a few yards around the object. Such considerations make battery life even MORE of a concern.

      The more I think about this, the more I think the low end of my estimate is TOO OPTIMISTIC! IMAGINE! Let's say it flew a few hundred feet above the ground. It could hit a flock of birds, and crash. It could lose its ENTIRE payload and maybe even record that it got to the customers home. That ONE flight could be a DISASTER! Maybe killing a bird, destroying the machine(AND short term prospects for such attempts), hurting a person, destroying the product, AND creating an IRATE customer!

      PLANES are LARGER, try to fly much higher, and are actually MADE to withstand bird collisions. STILL, some planes actually NEED TO BE REPAIRED because of damaged engines from bird collisions! That gives you an idea of have big a problem it is!

      That is NOT that unlikely! Birds fly all the time, and MANY could EASILY damage such a craft. It is only made to handle ONE bad prop and that would hurt maneuverability and height! And the bird might not see it in time.

      Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Can they deliver donuts?
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  • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
    With the licensing just around the corner, companies large and small
    have been planning this for quite a while. I've invested heavily in a buddy of
    mine who is poised to offer training and information to companies
    and their employees who want to take advantage of it.

    He's been an aircraft mechanic for about 10 years now, so I'm
    trying to "guide" him into offering some kind of inspection/maintenance
    service as well. The point is, there is a huge set of niche markets
    popping up around this one, as there always is whenever a new
    method of distribution comes along...

    But yeah, I can already hear the Jimmy John's commercials, LOL

    http://i.imgur.com/XRtsM9Z.jpg
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    • Profile picture of the author derekwong28


      Hurry, get your drone hunting permit now!
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    • Profile picture of the author seasoned
      Originally Posted by MikeTucker View Post

      With the licensing just around the corner, companies large and small
      have been planning this for quite a while. I've invested heavily in a buddy of
      mine who is poised to offer training and information to companies
      and their employees who want to take advantage of it.
      They are talking about aircraft that require CONSTANT adjustments, etc... They're controlled by microcontrollers. And amazon has said they want to have them automated. Frankly, I STILL see problems with security. So has he decided to switch to electronics and computers?

      He's been an aircraft mechanic for about 10 years now, so I'm
      trying to "guide" him into offering some kind of inspection/maintenance
      service as well. The point is, there is a huge set of niche markets
      popping up around this one, as there always is whenever a new
      method of distribution comes along...
      OH, he has been an aircraft mechanic for 10 years? I bet he has plenty of microcontrollers, small props, and servo motors, huh?

      Steve
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      • Profile picture of the author MikeTucker
        Originally Posted by DotComBum View Post

        How abt if other companies want to come on board too? It sure anger them if others cannot but Amazon can, make sense?
        They can, if they can afford it. That's the whole point,
        the airspace for drones is going to be open to public
        corporations. Make no mistake, UPS/FedEx, etc. are
        already in line as well, along with hundreds of smaller
        companies.


        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        They are talking about aircraft that require CONSTANT adjustments, etc... They're controlled by microcontrollers. And amazon has said they want to have them automated. Frankly, I STILL see problems with security. So has he decided to switch to electronics and computers?
        I always appreciate your loud critiques.

        That being said,
        1. Yes, they do require constant adjustments, very good.
        2. Controlled by microcontrollers? No idea, I'm not that smart!
        3. Yes, there are problems with security-- like in everything.

        4. No, he is an aircraft mechanic, not an electrical engineer. But
        the President of a company is usually not the person who does
        all of the work... He hires people, guides the company, works
        his connections, etc.

        You may have noted from other conversations that I am a
        big believer in actual expertise.

        Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

        OH, he has been an aircraft mechanic for 10 years? I bet he has plenty of microcontrollers, small props, and servo motors, huh?
        Steve
        I'm not a young man investing in his first venture,
        and I'm not investing in his company because he is my friend.
        ..I'm doing it because he has a damn good plan together and
        I've met some of the connections he has and they also think
        it's going to be a fantastic investment.

        Anyway, I only brought him up to point out that I'm putting my money where
        my mouth is (or typing fingers?) when I say I believe this industry
        is going to be huge!
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