Amazon is expanding its Amazon Prime Air drone delivery service to nearly 500 cities and towns by the end of 2026, a six-fold increase from its current level, the company announced. Current delivery areas are in seven states (Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas), with new service being launched in Georgia, Ohio, Illinois, Idaho, and New York.
Amazon began drone deliveries in 2014 (see “Amazon Applies for Drone Permits”)and has been quietly testing and rolling it out since. Items weighing five pounds or less that fit in a large shoebox are eligible for the service. Prime members can get deliveries of $50 or more free, or $2.99 under $50, with arrival expected in 30 to 60 minutes after the order is placed.
Amazon has delivered hundreds of thousands of packages by drone this year, the company said in its announcement. But not all of those deliveries arrive as intended, according to a video posted of an attempted delivery in Texas, which showed the drone dropping the package in the pool at the delivery address.
Source: ICV2
