Amazon launched a pilot programme for its drone-based delivery in two US cities — first, in College Station, Texas and then Lockeford, California, amid a lot of fanfare. However, in the three weeks since the programme was launched, it has proven to be a gimmick, with no practical applications, at least as of now.
Amazon’s ambitious drone delivery service, known as “Prime Air,” had the potential to change how e-commerce functions across the world. However, people and more importantly Amazon will have to wait a little longer before it becomes practical.
Reports from users who have availed of Amazon’s Prime Air service are reporting that apart from the barrage of issues they faced, one thing that clearly stood out was Amazon drone’s inability to carry a meaningful load. Some suggest that the maximum weight a drone is able to carry is that of a can of soup or baked beans.
There are some other restrictions as well.
There are some serious payload restrictions: Amazon’s drones can only carry small items weighing up to five pounds that can withstand a 12-foot drop, that too in perfect conditions. If, for example, there is an increase in temperature or humidity, or if the wind is even a little stronger, the maximum payload drops substantially.
Furthermore, the drones are affected by environmental factors such as rain, wind, and heat, making them less reliable in various weather conditions. For the drones to deliver they are designed, the conditions need to be ideal, all the time.
Amazon also requires delivery drop-off points to be free of nearby cars, which often forces customers to move their vehicles out of driveways. Additionally, a large target must be placed for the drones to land accurately.
Another bizarre issue is that, unlike traditional delivery systems, customers must be physically present to accept drone deliveries, in part to prevent theft and also because items may sometimes roll into the street.
Early adopters of Amazon’s drone service have found that restrictions such as these show the impracticality of the service. As a result, they often receive free items sent by drone, such as a single jar of peanut butter, a can of soup, or breath mints. However, these items are delivered in large boxes that are disproportionate to the product’s size, leading to a waste of packaging materials.
Amazon’s drone service was initially announced with much fanfare in the early 2010s, with CEO Jeff Bezos showcasing the technology on “60 Minutes” in 2013. Despite the promise of a delivery revolution, the service has made slow progress, and it currently operates in just two US cities.
While Amazon announced plans to expand the drone delivery service to cities in the United Kingdom and Italy in the coming year, challenges related to weather conditions, regulatory approval, and other logistical factors could continue to hinder the program’s growth.