General Discussion

octoberlib

(14,971 posts) Sun Dec 1, 2013, 10:50 PM Dec 2013

Amazon unveils futuristic mini-drone delivery plan

Washington (AFP) - Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos says his company is looking to the future with plans to use "octocopter" mini-drones to fly small packages to consumers in just 30 minutes.

The US retail giant's ambitious project still requires additional safety testing and federal approval, but Bezos estimated that Amazon "Prime Air" would be up and running within four to five years.

A demo video posted on the company's website showed the tiny robotic devices picking up packages in small yellow buckets from Amazon's fulfillment centers and then whizzing through the air to deliver the items to customers just 30 minutes after they made their purchase on Amazon.com.

"I know this looks like science fiction. It's not," Bezos told CBS television's "60 Minutes" program."We can do half-hour delivery... and we can carry objects, we think, up to five pounds (2.3 kilograms), which covers 86 percent of the items that we deliver."
http://news.yahoo.com/amazon-unveils-futuristic-mini-drone-delivery-plan-021532540.html

20 replies

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Amazon unveils futuristic mini-drone delivery plan (Original Post) octoberlib Dec 2013 OP

If I can get the drone to deliver it straight from china, we can cut out the amazon middleman...nt Jesus Malverde Dec 2013 #1

Yeah, I can imagine my dogs reactions when this thing hits my front walkway. Xithras Dec 2013 #2

We never got our flying cars. No way in Hell will these unmanned things be approved anytime soon. nt onehandle Dec 2013 #3

I'll take that bet. Driverless cars are coming also. No doubt both will happen. n-t Logical Dec 2013 #8

The problem with drones isn't the technology, it's the use they've been put to. last1standing Dec 2013 #4

So, if you've got a rifle and you're a good shot, Benton D Struckcheon Dec 2013 #5

No different that stealing it off neighbors porch. n-t Logical Dec 2013 #9

June 2013: DomiCopter. moondust Dec 2013 #6

I forgot about this! I wonder if the air will be thick with delivery drones in the future. nt octoberlib Dec 2013 #12

What could possibly go wrong? moondust Dec 2013 #20

Making a Helipad in the backyard as we speak NightWatcher Dec 2013 #7

Get off my lawn! RKP5637 Dec 2013 #10

I am excited by this development. CorrectOfCenter Dec 2013 #11

The only thing most people know about drones is that they're used in octoberlib Dec 2013 #14

Yeah, send something with high speed propellers whirring through neighborhoods... gulliver Dec 2013 #13

I'm really curious as to how they're going to make this work. octoberlib Dec 2013 #16

I feel sorry for the workers at the fulfillment centers RainDog Dec 2013 #15

I heard something mentioned about unions in the video. Are all Amazon workers unionized octoberlib Dec 2013 #17

When they collide with an airplane, don't worry, it won't hurt Coyotl Dec 2013 #18

If you can't wait a few days for your plastic shit, you deserve climate change NoOneMan Dec 2013 #19

Jesus Malverde

(10,274 posts)

1. If I can get the drone to deliver it straight from china, we can cut out the amazon middleman...nt

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 10:52 PM

Dec 2013

Xithras

(16,191 posts)

2. Yeah, I can imagine my dogs reactions when this thing hits my front walkway.

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 10:54 PM

Dec 2013

My dogs are fearless. Amazon will need a new drone.

onehandle

(51,122 posts)

3. We never got our flying cars. No way in Hell will these unmanned things be approved anytime soon. nt

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:04 PM

Dec 2013

Last edited Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Logical

(22,457 posts)

8. I'll take that bet. Driverless cars are coming also. No doubt both will happen. n-t

Reply to onehandle (Reply #3)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:32 PM

Dec 2013

last1standing

(11,709 posts)

4. The problem with drones isn't the technology, it's the use they've been put to.

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:07 PM

Dec 2013

I have no problem with Amazon using drones to deliver packages if they can make the technology work for them and their customers. I do have a problem with the United States government (or any government) delivering bombs to innocent civilians half way around the world and with delivering surveillance video on innocent civilians at home to local and federal agents.

Context is everything. Let's not make the same mistake as the right wing by adamantly opposing anything that has a vague connection to something we rightly oppose.

So long as there are no missiles or surveillance cameras (at least not with data being redirected to the government) attached to these drones, I can't see a reason to oppose them.

Benton D Struckcheon

(2,347 posts)

5. So, if you've got a rifle and you're a good shot,

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:07 PM

Dec 2013

free manna from Heaven. Long as the thing doesn't land in your neighbor's backyard instead...

Logical

(22,457 posts)

9. No different that stealing it off neighbors porch. n-t

Reply to Benton D Struckcheon (Reply #5)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:32 PM

Dec 2013

moondust

(19,988 posts)

6. June 2013: DomiCopter.

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:23 PM

Dec 2013

Domino's tests drone pizza delivery

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)

12. I forgot about this! I wonder if the air will be thick with delivery drones in the future. nt

Reply to moondust (Reply #6)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:18 AM

Dec 2013

moondust

(19,988 posts)

20. What could possibly go wrong?

Reply to octoberlib (Reply #12)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 01:26 AM

Dec 2013

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)

7. Making a Helipad in the backyard as we speak

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:30 PM

Dec 2013

Sure, Christmas is 24 days away, but I want that Thomas and Friends train set right damn now.

RKP5637

(67,109 posts)

10. Get off my lawn!

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Dec 1, 2013, 11:36 PM

Dec 2013

CorrectOfCenter

(101 posts)

11. I am excited by this development.

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:08 AM

Dec 2013

To my disappointment, I rushed to see what the Internet was saying about it and all I saw was morons confusing package delivery drones with hellfire missile drones and rednecks threatening to shoot them down.

This is why we can't have nice things. Innovative thinking is always crushed by cynics and carnival barkers.

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)

14. The only thing most people know about drones is that they're used in

Reply to CorrectOfCenter (Reply #11)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:28 AM

Dec 2013

warfare. Amazon can change this perception.

gulliver

(13,181 posts)

13. Yeah, send something with high speed propellers whirring through neighborhoods...

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:27 AM

Dec 2013

...via remote control. What could possibly go wrong?

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)

16. I'm really curious as to how they're going to make this work.

Reply to gulliver (Reply #13)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:31 AM

Dec 2013

The drones would have to avoid power lines and the like.

RainDog

(28,784 posts)

15. I feel sorry for the workers at the fulfillment centers

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:30 AM

Dec 2013

They are already expected to run, pretty much, for hours each day in order to meet a quota of fills on deliveries.

This 30 minute guarantee will, no doubt, do nothing to allay the horrid working conditions Amazon creates for its warehouse employees.

One reporter went undercover as an employee.

But, maybe by the time the drones are fully functional, they'll replace the warehouse employees too.

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)

17. I heard something mentioned about unions in the video. Are all Amazon workers unionized

Reply to RainDog (Reply #15)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:48 AM

Dec 2013

in the U.K.? They need to organize in this country. This Prime Air service will definitely put a lot more stress on the workers.

Coyotl

(15,262 posts)

18. When they collide with an airplane, don't worry, it won't hurt

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Mon Dec 2, 2013, 12:53 AM

Dec 2013

when the plane crashes on your head

I see a few logistical problems here!

NoOneMan

(4,795 posts)

19. If you can't wait a few days for your plastic shit, you deserve climate change