Amazon’s Prime Air service, which enables package delivery via drone within an hour of ordering, has been operational for several years. Recently, the company announced an expansion of this service, allowing for the delivery of additional devices in designated regions. Following regulatory approval, Amazon will now include various new devices, such as iPhone models, other Apple products, and Samsung Galaxy smartphones, in its drone delivery offerings. The Amazon MK30 drones will be responsible for these deliveries, releasing packages from a height of roughly 13 feet.
Enhancements to Prime Air Drone Delivery
In a blog post on Tuesday, Amazon revealed that its Prime Air drone delivery service has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to broaden its scope. Customers can now select from over 60,000 items eligible for drone delivery, with further expansion anticipated. The newly approved categories include Apple iPhone models, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, AirTags, AirPods, Ring doorbells, and Alpha Grillers Instant Read Food Thermometers.
Customers can expect deliveries within an hour or less. To utilize the drone delivery option, shoppers need to choose it at checkout on the Amazon website or app, provided they are in an eligible location and the item in their cart weighs 5 pounds or less (approximately 2 kg). They also have the option to indicate a preferred delivery location, such as a driveway or yard.
Amazon’s drones are equipped to calculate the time needed to reach a specified address for package drop-off. Once an order is placed, customers receive an estimated delivery window. If the delivery cannot be completed, Amazon will inform users of the reason behind the delay.
The Prime Air service has designated “delivery zones,” which are unobstructed areas free from large obstacles such as trees or buildings. The new MK30 drones will facilitate these deliveries. Previously, the service required a QR code in the customer’s delivery area for successful operation; it now relies on the drone’s onboard computer to make direct deliveries without the need for a physical QR code, releasing packages at a height of approximately 13 feet.
However, Prime Air is subject to weather conditions and will not operate in all circumstances. The service utilizes a 75-minute forward-looking weather assessment to determine whether a drone delivery is feasible within the next hour.
At present, Amazon conducts drone deliveries in select regions of Texas and Arizona.
