Amazon's seeks to test drones It's the logical next step for a company so focused on delivering small packages to consumers. Could it also be a threat to traditional mail and package (UPS, FedEx, the post office)?
No way. I don't like the idea of drones as they are use now. I certainly don't need a drone delivering my packages from Amazon. Business wise, it won't be a big threat to traditional mail or delivery services. Remember, there are options for UPS, FEDEX, DHL or USPS where you can expedite a package and request 1 or 2 day delivery of an item. The only way the idea of drones could be a viable threat is if the shipping service was faster along with cheap rates to rival standard delivery service prices of traditional mail.
I could have sworn this was just a April Fool's Day joke...are they actually doing it? I mean, yeah it'd be a threat to conventional mail services, as long as it isn't ridiculously expensive
I think that the drones will be regulated more stringently in the near future, too many close calls with airplanes for it to be overlooked. They may believe that they will be able to deliver packages with them but I am not so certain that it will happen.
I can always appreciate a company trying to step outside the box. Also doesn't hurt that it sort of sticks it to UPS who really screwed up orders for Amazon around Christmas time last year. That said, I'm cautiously optimistic. It sounds great in theory, but I can't imagine it flying too well (zing) with certain governing bodies. We have tons of airspace available and I doubt it will fly high enough to reach any sort of airplane altitudes to cause any issues there, but I'm sure people will find their reasons to not allow it to move forward. As usual though, you'll have a few minority places that will allow it.
The drones are just the beginning, the first step. Give it a few more decades and you'll have actual robots show up at your door to deliver the package, kinda like in the movie I Robot
And they will be out of commission once little Timmy playing in the yard gets his hand cut off by the propeller on one of these things. In theory it is awesome, but I don't see it working out.
A lot of European countries have really strict laws about flying with drones (or UAVs), for example in Denmark, you're not allowed to fly it out of sight which would be a huge problem on its own, but it is also not allowed to fly in populated areas. It's definitely the beginning of a change in the business, but I don't see it becoming big just yet. I do think Amazon have been proving great the last couple of years and really showing that they're out hunting for the next big thing.
Wouldn't using drones be rather expensinve for them? Or would the extra cost be passed over the customer who's getting the 'express' delivery? Personally I don't think using drones would be the best idea ever. Of course [if it were to be executed] it could beat out the competition but they'll in no way threaten traditional mail couriers because not everyone gets all their packages from Amazon. Should they start a faster 'drone-powered' Amazon courier service then I think the rest of guys will also be forced to up their game or step out to allow new players to get on the field.
I *so* very strongly agree with this, May. It feels so silly to me to be putting so much money into something that's... well, unneeded... is ludicrous. I get my stuff from Amazon in 2 days because I have Prime. I could get it in one day if I want to pay more. (Hope no one thinks this fanciful thing is going to be free to customers.) The money they're wasting on this could have been put to such good use! I've often said this... just because we *have* technology doesn't mean it's wise to use it all. I first noticed it when I saw my neighbor on google earth sitting in a delivery truck with all his private information right there on the truck. It simply goes too far sometimes and privacy should be something we are automatically allowed.
