Amazon has opened its very first Prime Air drone delivery site in the UK – and its first outside the USA – in Darlington. It is already operational, consisting of a 465,000-square-foot site fitted with state-of-the-art robotics technology that has, as of February, been delivering parcels by drone.
Deliveries are made within 30 minutes of an order being placed by a MK30 drone. Amazon says these use “sophisticated, industry-leading detect-and-avoid technology, ensuring the safety of people, pets, and property.” The company added that safety is paramount: “Our drone has received Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval to conduct operations, and an associate always carries out a pre-flight inspection of the drone.”
How it works
The service is currently available to anyone with a garden, yard or driveway within a 12 km radius of the Darlington fulfilment centre. Items must weigh 2.2kgs or less and fit into packaging the size of a large shoebox. Millions of items are available to be delivered in this way.
Customers can select the drone option at checkout, which will then show them a satellite map of their property with ‘delivery zones’ highlighted. The customer selects one of those and receives a reminder by Amazon to keep the area clear. The drone delivers the item – dropping it from a safe height, in special packaging – and then returns to the centre.
Weatherpoof (mostly)
The drones can be operated in light rain and a range of temperatures, but Prime Air will be unavailable if conditions are not safe to fly. However, this will also be removed as a delivery option at checkout, to avoid disappointing customers. Amazon says the MK30 has been designed to be quieter than many “common neighbourhood and household noises.”
The Prime Air service is currently available for free to Amazon Prime members. Amazon says it will evaluate delivery fees as the service expands.
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