Amazon to test Prime Air Drones in US
Amazon’s Prime Air this weekend received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate its unmanned package-delivery drones.
The company can now use unmanned aircraft systems to deliver goods ‘beyond the visual line of sight of the operator’ under a trial basis, CNBC reports.
Amazon began testing its delivery drones in 2013, but has stumbled getting the service off the ground due to hardware and safety issues.
The firm notes that it has since conducted a number of training deliveries and submitted evidence showing operations are safe to the public.
Drone deliveries will first rollout in low populated areas and will only drop-off packages weighing five pounds or less.
Amazon first unveiled its plans for Prime Air drones seven years ago, aiming to deliver goods in 30 minutes or less.
CEO Jeff Bezos had aimed to launch the service within the next four to five years, but the firm was hit with a number of hurdles, such as hardware limitations and safety regulations.
