Amazon Drones.....

What is the obvious reason? It's obviously not obvious for me! 

A techological "advance" just for the sake of it, with no real necessity behind it? 

And one which brings obvious safety issues.

Ok....obvious reasons

Needs to be able to come down in open space

Needs to have someone, without fail, to collect

Useless for flat dwellers, high rise or other wise

Restricted by size of items, so can only do one at a time, so think of how many drops a courier will do in one day!

Restricted to a ten mile radius

They would, presumably, have hundreds of the things flying around

Hooligans trashing them

Drivers being distracted

Overhead wire and wind farms

It's a ridiculous idea so I'm out!

Spot on AP. I could possibly go for it (or should that be fall for it) if it was between two permanent sites.
ie from one distribution centre to another but even then it seems fanciful.
I think this is a lead up to April the 1st.

Not April Fools - they have been touting this idea for a couple of years now (plenty of articles if you google).

They even had a video on their website showing a drone "in action".

I agree with the previous posters though, it seems a bit fanciful!

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http://www.amazon.com/b?ref_=tsm_1_tw_s_amzn_mx3eqp&node=8037720011

Drones are the future.

50 miles along rural roads or fly across field?!

I watched that this morning.

Drops the box with no signature and leaves it for any passer by to pick up!

Four lethal propellers whizzing round and what happens to the boxes? They must be worth a few
bob, especially the larger ones!

I'd like to see them trying that in Knowle West or Easton!

Good luck getting the drone back!

Anyone would think that worthless PR frauds just make up any old lie to get publicity, imo...

We'd still be riding round on horse and carriage if it was left to chit chat.

What about time critical hospital deliveries? Drones miles cheaper than helicopter.

Drones are like the ipod. You knew instantly it was the future

prob useful for certain things -as mentioned emergency eqpt  or even parcels   

would basically replace the need for a motorcycle courier  - would need to have certain drone points ,presumably businesses  who collect in each postcode

yeah,you couldnt have them flying about all over the shop

I can see the benefit in delivering vital supplies, but seeing they have said "within a 10 mile radius" they will need many hundreds of "bases"
to which the supplies can be taken.

Then it would be a relay from base to base. However, these bases would have to be permanently manned, at further cost, even though
some might not get any "traffic" for days on end.

As for replacing a motor cycle courier, that's a no brainer. Imagine one of these drones trying to deliver to a property in central London!

Additionally, the courier first of all collects the goods from the sender so how is a drone going to do that?

I still say it's ridiculous!

Urgent medical supplies can go roof to roof.


They could have a 5mx5m landing zone near Canaray Wharf, (could even be manned by an Amazon employee) it would be like hazing a warehouse in the centre of the business district.

The music, videos and books that Amazon sell can all be downloaded instantly but this is useful for someone ordering a new chest of drawers.

every kid with an air rifle will be taking lumps out of flying parcels not to mention those with rc planes trying to knock em out of the sky

Unless they can carry lots of parcels they will never be cheaper than a multidrop driver, some drivers are paid less than £1.50 for each delivery.

Cant see it ever taking off. Well apart from the mugs who are willing to pay top dollar too have something delivered quickly.

If we buy stuff from Amazon and have to return it, we'll be needing a stock of our own drones ... where will we get them from?

Duh! I get it now ... it's a cunning plan to sell lots of drones.  Well I for one am not falling for it.

Im waiting for the first bomb to be delivered by a Drone, surprised it hasn't happened yet.

We'd still be riding round on horse and carriage if it was left to chit chat.

What about time critical hospital deliveries? Drones miles cheaper than helicopter.

Drones are like the ipod. You knew instantly it was the future

Just like the flying cars we were promised in the 50's?

Drones are more a security hazzard than anything.

I have noticed individuals delivering from Amazon in cars, so a local warehouse that stocks everything could mean same day deliveries. Ebay also use Argos for deliveries which is a good idea.

Future wise I'm making phone watches controlled by voice a big hit in a few years time. Technology will also be integrated into your body in years to come. We will eventually be the droids.

Criminals wouldn't use them to deliver contraband to their mates in prison.................... or would they?

If anything they are going to crack down on drones, there are already noises in that direction.

The story the other day about high altitude drones for internet or whatever, that I could buy into, but delivery, complete rubbish.

And another thing.....bad weather.

No way could one of these things fly in anything but dead calm. Would have been useless here yesterday.