It has been quite some time since Amazon introduced Amazon Prime Air, a concept which involves using drones to ship packages to customers in 30 minutes or less. Amazon has been working hard to improve this service and it has announced today that drone deliveries have gone live in the United Kingdom. It’s kicking things off across the pond by delivering packages via drone for two customers. Drone deliveries will be expanded to more customers in the country over time.
Amazon has had to start trials for Amazon Prime Air in the United Kingdom because regulators across the pond have granted it the relevant permissions. It’s allowed to operate these drones beyond line of sight in suburban and rural areas.
The only restriction with Amazon Prime Air is that the package has to weigh up to five pounds. If it weighs more than that it can’t be delivered via drone.
Amazon confirmed today that it successful delivered the first order via drone in the United Kingdom on December 7th. The order included an Amazon Fire TV set-top box and a bag of popcorn. It took 13 minutes from the moment the order was placed for it to be delivered by drone to the customer’s home near Cambridge, UK.
There are obvious technological limitations with this service that need to be worked out first. Amazon is currently only delivering via drone to customers who are located in close proximity to a special warehouse.