Amazon has officially launched its drone delivery service in the United Kingdom, offering customers the ability to receive parcels within two hours. The ecommerce giant began a limited operation in Darlington, County Durham, where small items weighing less than 5lb (2.2kg) are delivered within a 7.5-mile (12km) radius of its fulfilment centre.
Drone Capabilities and Features
While UK deliveries currently take up to two hours, Amazon's drones in the United States can deliver parcels in as little as 36 minutes. The company employs its most advanced model, the MK30 drone, which incorporates technology to avoid obstacles. Upon reaching its destination, the drone uses GPS to determine the precise location to release the parcel. Amazon has previously stated that the drones are designed to operate quietly, with noise levels comparable to a traditional van delivery.
Operational Plans and Early Trials
According to the BBC, Amazon intends to conduct up to ten flights per hour, or up to one hundred deliveries per day on weekdays. Customer Rob Shield participated in the initial test runs, receiving parcels the size of shoeboxes that were dropped from a height of 12ft (3.6m). He told the BBC: "Initially it was a novelty, so we were ordering everything under the sun. Pens, paper, chocolates - anything to make it keep coming."
Collaboration and Safety Measures
Amazon began testing drones last year in preparation for this launch and is collaborating with Darlington Council and the Civil Aviation Authority to develop the programme. David Carbon, VP of Prime Air, stated last year: "Starting flights in Darlington marks an important milestone in bringing drone delivery to the UK. Safety is our top priority and we have worked closely with Darlington Council and the Civil Aviation Authority. Our MK30 drones are designed to operate quietly and efficiently. We look forward to demonstrating how this innovative technology can serve the people of Darlington while maintaining the highest safety standards."
Amazon added: "As the MK30 descends for delivery, its onboard systems identify and steer clear of obstacles such as clothes lines or trampolines — items that might not appear in satellite maps. These same cameras continuously monitor the surrounding airspace during flight, determining whether evasive action is needed to avoid other aircraft entering the drone’s flight path. The perception technology relies on sophisticated machine learning models trained to recognise various objects, including people, animals, physical barriers, and other airborne vehicles."
