There was a patent to protect delivery drones, and the “secret” patent for airborne, blimp-like warehouses that would bring Amazon’s inventory closer to its ever-expanding customer base.Ģ017 saw even more patents: a virtual drone safety shroud, a folding wing drone design, drone delivery infrastructure, the idea of “launching” packages for delivery, and more.
There was a patent described as drones “hitching rides” on trucks and ground vehicles to extend their range: and a fascinating idea for voice-controlled drones.
There were the “ birdhouses“: docking stations for drones designed to extend their flight, which could be installed along a route on existing infrastructure like street lights. In January, the VP of Global Public Policy Paul Misener said that “ red tape was more difficult than technology.” By July, the company had announced that it’s Prime Air development would leave the US.Īlso in 2016, Amazon launched many patents designed to address issues in drone delivery – some practical, and some yet to enter the mainstream. When 2016 started, Amazon’s leadership was clearly frustrated with the rate of regulation. At around that time, the Prime Air website said:Īmazon Prime Air is a future service that will deliver packages up to five pounds in 30 minutes or less using small drones … Flying under 400 feet and weighing less than 55 pounds, Prime Air vehicles will take advantage of sophisticated ‘sense and avoid’ technology, as well as a high degree of automation, to safely operate beyond the line of sight to distances of 10 miles or more. In July of 2015, Amazon proposed their controversial idea of a federated airspace – giving delivery drones their own little slice of the sky in order to facilitate integration with manned aircraft.īy the end of 2015, Amazon had released a second prototype model. The company took out their first patent on Sense and Avoid technology to avoid collisions, and introduced their first publicly disclosed drone template – saying in May that they were ready to start delivery as soon as regulations allowed. In 2015, Amazon began testing in Canada, and received the first OK to test in the US. DRONELIFE articles from 2014 indicate that Amazon started hiring drone pilots and ramping up their research and development center: by the end of 2014, Amazon had said that the FAA was “too restrictive” and announced that they were moving more of their drone development abroad. In 2013, there were few manufacturers building commercial grade delivery drones, and Amazon decided to build their own aircraft. The current version of Amazon’s delivery aircraft is pictured above: the company statement emphasizes the safety and built in detect-and-avoid technology designed to avoid collisions with other aircraft and ensure ground safety.įrom 2013 – Today: the Patents, the Problems, and the ProgressĪs the first major retailer to announce that drone delivery was a goal, Amazon took an early seat in FAA discussions, drone industry shows, and advocacy.
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