Amazon’s Drones Are Officially Delivering Packages In Italy Now
They're starting to fly above even more cities around the world. GiphyNews that is entertaining to read
Subscribe for free to get more stories like this directly to your inboxIt’s one of those futuristic predictions that is now — slowly but surely — becoming a reality. The concept of delivering packages via drone comes with a host of potential benefits: faster delivery, fewer emissions, and potentially even lower costs.
And Amazon remains at the forefront of this developing technology, as evidenced by a first-of-its-kind test flight that occurred this week in Italy.
On a short leash
While drone delivery is intriguing on multiple levels, there are some regulatory and safety concerns to consider. That’s why Amazon hasn’t been able to fully implement its fleet of autonomous flying packages in the U.S. or elsewhere around the world just yet.
Here in the states, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has approved limited testing in two cities — College Station, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona — and will likely add additional locations to the list in 2025.
Similarly, two regulatory agencies in Italy, the ENAC and ENAV, which serve a function similar to that of the FAA, gave Amazon the green light to test its drones in San Salvo.
The first such flight occurred on Wednesday and all reports seem to suggest it was a success.
Like in U.S. tests, the e-commerce titan used its MK30 drone. The aircraft is capable of carrying packages that weigh five pounds or less and can operate even in light rain.
Lots more to come
Even if you’re not living in one of the areas receiving the first Amazon drone deliveries, you might not have to wait very long. After announcing earlier this year that it planned to begin testing in Italy (and the United Kingdom), new projections indicate that drones will be delivering packages commercially to Italians nationwide by next year.
That is, of course, if regulators say it’s OK.