Amazon plans to launch its drone delivery service in California this year, called Prime Air, a mode of transporting goods on which start-ups and large groups, such as Walmart, have been working for years.
The e-commerce giant plans to take practical tests in Lockerford, a Californian city, the group announced on Monday, June 13, 2022 in a press release.
Waiting for the green light from the authorities
“Later this year…residents will be able to sign up for free drone delivery,” indicates Amazon, without further details on the date. The company is still awaiting the green light from the authorities.
Consumers can choose “among thousands of everyday products” which will be dropped by the drone in their garden.
More and more powerful drones
Their feedback should be used to improve the service, which Amazon hopes to scale up to “meeting the needs of customers everywhere”.
The group says it created a dozen prototypes before arriving at a model that can identify and avoid obstacles, both static and moving, from chimneys to other aerial devices and pets.
“Most drones don’t have this capability (…) and require spotters to help them avoid risks. They can be deployed quite quickly, but remain limited to a small operating radius”, assure Amazon.
Prime Air did not specify how much weight the drones will be able to carry, or how far they will be able to travel.
READ ALSO. In 2016, Amazon conducted its first drone delivery test
Drone delivery also tested by Walmart
In late May, US retail giant Walmart, which has been competing with Amazon for several years on drone delivery technology, announced the expansion of its drone delivery service, planning to make it available at 34 locations across the States. States by the end of the year.
The drones will be operational in six American states (Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah and Virginia) with the possibility of reaching up to 4 million homes and ensuring more than 1 million deliveries per year, had specified the company.
Walmart customers will be able to order their goods between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and, for a delivery charge of $3.99 per order, will have them delivered by airmail within half -hour. Each delivery may weigh up to 4.5 kg.
Walmart, which is seeking to position itself as the leader in this service, will use devices and technology from start-up DroneUp.
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