Engadget - Amazon expands its drone ambitions

It's Thursday, October 19, 2023.

We haven’t heard much on the state of Amazon’s drone deliveries, but the company still seems focused on exploring the possibilities. A report earlier this year said Amazon had made only a handful of deliveries due to FAA regulations. However, in the announcement of prescription deliveries in parts of Texas, Amazon said its drones “have safely delivered hundreds of household items in College Station [in Texas] since December 2022.”

Amazon

Customers at College Station are now eligible for aerial deliveries of “more than 500 medications” for common conditions like the flu, asthma and pneumonia. Texas has established itself as a hotbed for drone delivery trials. Alphabet’s Wing also began offering them in Dallas–Fort Worth, including a partnership with Walmart.

Beyond a future third drone delivery area in the US, Amazon is planning an international expansion to the UK and Italy in 2024. Drone deliveries will start at one site each before expanding to more locations. Amazon added it will integrate the Prime Air program into its delivery network. In the US, drones will run out of some Same-Day Delivery sites.

Amazon will also start using its MK30 drone, first revealed last November. This model has a range twice as large as previous drones and improved tolerance for higher and lower temperatures. The MK30 can also operate in light rain. It’s smaller, lighter and quieter than previous drones too. But will it attempt delivery while I’m in the shower? Probably.

— Mat Smith

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