Online retail giant Amazon has launched its first-ever ‘Prime Air’ drone delivery trial in Cambridge, UK. The service can deliver packages up to five pounds in 30 minutes or less – the first order was a Fire TV and bag of popcorn, which took 13 minutes from ordering to delivery.
Amazon is starting with two customers for the first phase of the trial. Participation in the trial for Amazon customers living within several miles of its UK site is being offered.
First-ever #AmazonPrimeAir customer delivery is in the books. 13 min—click to delivery. Check out the video: https://t.co/Xl8HiQMA1S pic.twitter.com/5HGsmHvPlE
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 14, 2016
We’re started in the UK but continue to work with regulators and policymakers in many countries. We’re excited to one day bring Prime Air to our customers around the world.
The trial comes after permissions were granted from the UK government to conduct tests in: beyond line-of-sight operations in rural and suburban areas; sensor performance associated with sense-and-avoid, and; flights where one person operates multiple highly-automated drones.
Watch footage of the delivery here.
