[News] Fastest delivery: Amazon Prime Air Drones

Amazon Drone picture from D News.

On Wednesday, Amazon appeal to members of the Congress to approve the use of the unmanned aircraft systems (also known as drones) for package deliveries.

Amazon Prime Air drones. Drones are powered electrically and cloud deliver packages to consumers for them to provide faster, more efficient will less environmental impact than any other transportation like automobiles and planes. Paul Misener, vice president of global public policy at Amazon, suggested a testimony before the House Oversight Committee.

"Key aviation authorities outside the United States are rapidly pursuing regulatory frameworks and operational rules for UAS," he pointed out. Their approach is risk- and performance-based, and it is mindful of the tremendous opportunities for innovation and economic benefits that UAS present."

Michael Whitaker, FAA deputy Admin said at the hearing that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) committed to finalize proposed rules for the drones by next year of June 2016. Like establishing rules that would clear the way for commercial drones to operate in the public.

FAA released a proposed rule earlier this year that should limit the size, speed and range where it will deliver. In interim policy, FAA will grant Certificate of Waiver of Authorization to this exemption that would apply to aircraft and operations that the meet of the other criteria is set to any UAS operator for flights 200 feet or below.


UPS? UAS instead!

86 percent (86%) of the products that Amazon currently delivers weigh less than five pounds. So, Amazon's Prime Air plan calls for drones as delivery vehicles for the said packages.

Instead of using typical courier delivery like trucks UPS, FedEx or USPS that could take 2 to 7 days delivery, drones could allow Amazon deliver the packages to those customers in urban areas within 30 minutes upon ordering.

Michael Blades, senior industry analyst at Frost and Sullivan said that "As proposed, this system will feature automated operations to some degree".

He even told the E-Commerce Times that "It will likely be one person looking at computer screens that monitor a number of automated drones, much like how FedEx has people who monitor their fleet of trucks.". Where the difference is that trucks have drivers, drones? flies on its own.

According to a patent application the company filed on September in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Amazon drones able to be track while on delivery by using GPS data directly from a customer's mobile device.


When can we experience Amazon drones deliver?

Amazon already have the plans in place and could make deliveries next year of 2016 or 2017. Though FAA's proposed rules in place by the next summer.

Blades said "I don't see it happening that soon. Maybe in some limited testing of some sort, but it is at least five to ten (5 to 10) years out before we see the drones delivering packages.


A line of sight

The FAA allows drones to fly below 400 feet. It cannot fly near airports and must maintain a line of sight with the operator.

Blades said that "There are actually two things that are a big deal, and visual line of sight is just one of them". And even noted that beyond a mile or so, when you're outside the line of sight, and can't go higher because of its controlled airspace. The thing is how to avoid obstacles, aircraft power lines and he even ask if how can Amazon maintain constant communication and operating beyond line of sight?

Other issue here if where drone sets down? Buildings perhaps could create landing pads on roofs or walls but that could also be the present problem.


Amazon's Prime Air outcome?

This could be a game-changer for retailers on Amazon as long as Amazon will make a good plan to make things right in the future once this will be approve and launch someday. This kind of delivery gives a great customer experience in delivering the things they purchase online.


Watch Amazon's Prime Air video