Amazon Prime is a popular subscription program that offers premium services such as free 2-day delivery and special discounts.
You may be an Amazon shopper or simply curious about Prime Air. Continue reading to learn more about Prime Air.
What is Prime Air in 2022?
Prime Air, Amazon’s drone delivery service is still in development. The service will use small drones to deliver packages up to 5 pounds in 30 minutes. It was announced for the first time in 2016. Prime Air is Amazon’s commitment for fast parcel delivery to ensure a satisfied customer experience.
Continue reading to find out more about Prime Air and the latest developments in drone delivery technology.
What is Prime Air?
Prime Air is not yet officially operational as of 2022. However, Amazon has publicly stated its intention to begin drone delivery in the coming years.
Prime Air was established in 2016. Amazon hoped to start service in selected cities by the end 2019.
These plans were canceled to allow for product development and planning.
Prime Air will take flight and transform Amazon’s delivery system. It can deliver packages autonomously in as little 13 minutes without a pilot.
Amazon states that Prime Air 30-minute delivery is available by clicking a yellow button right above the add-to-cart button. This button will be displayed for eligible orders and items.
The package will be visible underneath the drone. It will be protected in a durable safety box to ensure prompt deliveries and exceptional customer service.
This future delivery system, as described on the Amazon Prime Air website, is intended to improve Amazon delivery by providing a quicker way to drop off packages.
Amazon will continue to use its large fleet of delivery trucks but high-tech drones will allow for greater flexibility as the ecommerce giant advances in its next phase of innovation.
Is Amazon Prime Air Safe?
Although autonomous aerial vehicles have seen rapid growth in recent years it is still relatively new to use drones for consumer delivery.
Amazon will therefore go to great lengths in order to ensure safety for its new delivery technology.
Amazon drones are built with technology and sense to avoid collisions.
These drones are also designed to meet the highest safety standards.
Amazon was granted a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration in August 2020, in addition to its high-level operating guidelines.
This certification is basically the FAA’s approval for Amazon’s autonomous shipping service. The company hopes to use it not only in the United States, but all over the globe.
Amazon will limit deliveries to five pounds or less to ensure small drones are able to handle the load and deliver the goods to the destination in 30 minutes.
What will Prime Air Vehicles Look like?
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Amazon claims it is testing different vehicle designs in order to determine the best delivery method in cities and rural areas. The drone design will continue to evolve over time.
Safety, efficiency and stability are the key considerations of Prime Air’s latest drone design. These videos offer a closer look at Prime Air’s future.
These previews show that Prime Air drones will be square in shape and feature four legs. Amazon branding is also visible on the top.
Under the protective cover will be a section that can hold a durable container. This could include anything from books, jewelry, make-up, grocery items and more.
Amazon also conducted a series of tests in Cambridge, England to ensure that the drone delivery process is smooth.
The storage solution is a patent-pending, almost beehive-like, that will house the drones, and allow Amazon to expand its operations.
Amazon may need to upgrade its fulfillment centers to make it easier to handle drone delivery operations. This is something that the company is currently working to do.
When will Prime Air start?
Amazon customers will have to continue with their standard delivery options, rather than relying on drone drops for quick deliveries.
Given Amazon’s vast logistics network, this is usually not a problem.
Prime shoppers may receive their orders within one to two days depending on where they live or what they purchase.
Amazon had originally planned to have Prime Air drone deliveries running by 2020. However, this plan was pushed back by development.
Amazon has not provided any information on when Prime Air will start.
It is clear that the company is committed to drone technology, and plans to launch the next generation in the future.
According to the company, it is actively testing drones and will announce when it’s ready to scale operations and begin delivering packages.
Another important distinction is between Prime Air drone delivery service and Amazon Air cargo airline, which only transports Amazon packages.
Amazon Air used to be known as Prime Air. However, the name was changed in 2017 when Amazon dedicated Prime Air for its drone delivery plans.
For more information, see our posts about whether Amazon uses drones and what the Amazon Prime shipping club is. You can also check out our posts on if Amazon offers overnight shipping.
Conclusion
Prime Air, Amazon’s drone delivery service is currently in development. It will deliver packages up to 5 pounds in 30 minutes after you order.
Amazon is optimistic about this technology’s potential and will continue to have over a million employees.