Amazon is joining forces with the UK government to test drone delivery systems in rural and suburban Britain for the first time.
The tech giant is capitalising on the country’s flexible drone regulations in a bid to realise its commitment to 30 minute Prime Air deliveries.
The Guardian reported that the drones will only carry packages weighing 5lb (2.3kg) or less, but such deliveries constitute 90% of the company’s sales.
The testing was approved by a cross-government team supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and will focus on three key areas.
The first, called “beyond line of sight operations”, involves a pilot flying a drone that they cannot see.
The second assesses the viability of using sensors to identify and avoid obstacles. Many are concerned about the privacy implications of drones that are piloted using cameras.
Finally, the testing will look at whether it’s possible for one pilot to simultaneously coordinate the flights of several highly-automated drones.
Paul Misener, Amazon’s vice-president of global innovation policy and communications, said: “The UK is a leader in enabling drone innovation – we’ve been investing in Prime Air research and development here for quite some time.”
Amazon and Google’s drone programmes suffered a major setback in the US last month when the Obama administration refused to approve requests for flights beyond a pilot’s vision.
The CAA will work closely with Amazon to evaluate the safety of increasingly automated drone flights and draw up policy and regulation.
Tim Johnson, CAA policy director, said in a statement: “We want to enable the innovation that arises from the development of drone technology by safely integrating drones into the overall aviation system.
“These tests by Amazon will help inform our policy and future approach.”
There are conflicting reports about how much the drone industry could contribute to the economy, but it’s estimated to provide several thousands of jobs in the UK alone.
A BI Intelligence report predicts that drone sales will top $12bn in 2021.
The Next Generation Of Robots And Drones
Robots that can deliver other robots:
Amazon/AP
Amazon Prime Air is a drone delivery service which the company is currently testing. The company aims to deliver products within just 30 minutes of the customer pressing the 'order' button. (AP Photo/Amazon)
Robots that could soon be saving lives:
MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
The robot 'CHIMP' developed by Team Tartan Rescue from the US prepares to complete a task during the finals of the
DARPA Robotics Challenge. It is hoped that these robots will eventually replace emergency services workers during events like the Fukushima nuclear disaster. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Robots that can carry your stuff:
MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
A robotic cheetah runs during a demonstration at the finals of the DARPA Robotics Challenge. DARPA's four-legged robots have been designed to carry supplies and ammunition for the US Army. Capable of travelling over tough terrain the hope is that these will eventually replace the need for trucks or small vehicles. (MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Robots that can kill:
AFP via Getty Images
A sentry robot freezes a hypothetical intruder by pointing its machine gun during its test in Cheonan. South Korea unveiled a high-tech, machine gun-toting sentry robot that could support its troops in detecting and killing intruders along the heavily fortified border with North Korea. The weapons-grade robot can detect, raise the alarm and provide suppressive fire. (KIM DONG-JOO/AFP/Getty Images)
Robots that can race each other:
YOSHIKAZU TSUNO via Getty Images
Japan's motorcycle maker Yamaha Motor introduces the prototype model of a motorcycle riding robot 'Motobot' during a press preview at the Tokyo Motor Show in Tokyo on 28, 2015.(YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images)
Robots that are toys:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The
Sphero BB-8 remote controlled droid is on display at CES Unveiled, a media preview event for CES International, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016, in Las Vegas. The robot is controlled by an app for a mobile device. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Robots that will do your weekly shop:
A new
delivery drone company plans to revolutionise the way we do our shopping by replacing your weekly trip to Sainsbury's with a tiny delivery robot which will bring your fruit and veg straight to your door.(Starship Technologies)