Posted on 11/30/2015 2:57:44 AM PST by Libloather
Amazon is offering a closer look at the drones it plans to use to eventually deliver customers' packages, nearly two years to the day after the Internet retailer first teased us with its ambitions for the unmanned aerial vehicles.
In a video posted to YouTube on Sunday (embedded below), Amazon showed off a new prototype drone it hopes to use to deliver small packages to customers in fewer than 30 minutes. Unlike a previous demonstration offered by Amazon that showed packages being carried below the drone, the new video shows the prototype accepting a package into its fuselage before delivery.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnet.com ...
I can’t imagine this going anywhere, possibly extremely limited use in extremely limited markets.
Mid-air collisions, faulty electronics, interceptor drones( you know it will happen), intentional electronic interference.
The video is cool, but has an annoying British narrator:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXo_d6tNWuY&feature=youtu.be
“Mid-air collisions, faulty electronics, interceptor drones( you know it will happen), intentional electronic interference.”
Shotguns, Wrist Rocket Slingshots. Bottle Rockets
I can’t wait to see how the drone is going to go up to the house and ring the doorbell.
Another thing: I guess each package will have a large sign on it stating “don’t steal me...I belong here.”
On a serious note: I am very concerned about the consequences of lack of control and communication among the upcoming hordes of similar tactics and drones. I think that we will see a complete “circle jerk” develop in the near future.
Will air delivery work? I don’t know, but it is something I would try out. This is certainly safer than googles driverless car.
“Can I deliver something to ISIS?”
Interesting question. General purpose unlicensed use could really enhance our terrorist friends. Just think, one of those little gems flying among the legitimate carriers, with a payload of explosives and wood screws, and fly into a crowded foot ball stadium. You know the rest.
And it’s a prime opportunity for govt spying, PI’s, police forces and perverts to just have their little outfits payload being a camera and other surveillance equipment.
Let’s face it, how would the average person feel, say you are in the back yard, lounging, reading a good book, and here comes one of those things just flying around your house, then perches on the roof or a lamp post, then flies off an hour or two later?
They will be shot down often. Devices will be invented that get around gun laws.
What’s the range on this thing? How far does it have to fly between the package pick up point and the drop off? Perhaps it comes from a mothership blimp and there is a fleet of drones, eh?
Backyard skeet shooting, now with prizes!
Nooooo. Say it ain’t so? I missed the /s didn’t I?
Nooooo. Say it ain’t so? I missed the /s didn’t I?
So much can go wrong with this concept.
Can this really be more cost effective than one guy in a van with a delivery route?
This will sure beat the hell out of the mini-ordeal I had with Amazon Prime and their use of the USPS. Wow, did THAT ever suck.
“I can’t imagine this going anywhere, possibly extremely limited use in extremely limited markets.”
On the face of it this seems impractical. Unless they are gas powered drones usually have a very limited flight time and carrying capacity. Battery operated drones would have to be recharged or have their battery changed after every flight. Drones large enough to carry packages could collide with people and injure them, especially kids. They are also loud, annoying and could be easily stolen along with the package. I dont see this going well.
I see a much more difficult problem: Theft.
Simple netting will down these drones. Launch nets at the drone, either with a ballistic- or a multi-drone based solution. Bam. Free product.
Okay, that was LOL.
Anyone could ship items to you even now, but why would they as it would cost them the price of the item and you would know who sent it. The delivery mechanism is the only difference in this case.
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