[Max]

I love how the delivery design is still being evolved. Now this hybrid has wings to fly like a plane and still ascend/descend vertically like a multirotor

http://techcrunch.com/2015/11/29/ama...hybrid-design/

It’s been a hot minute or two since Amazon last released any information about its proposed drone-based delivery system, Amazon Prime Air, which may one day be dropping off our new iPhones and iPads in the most gravity-defying way possible.

That changed late Sunday when the mega retailer released a brand new video preview showing how the system may work — delivering our new purchases within an impressive 30-minute window. Check it out below.

The ad uses the on-screen talents of ex-BBC Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, whose services Amazon snapped up earlier this year in a deal that even the not-exactly-poor Jeff Bezos described as, “very, very, very expensive.” Clarkson recently appeared in another Amazon ad for the Amazon Fire TV stick in the U.K. market.

With various regulatory hurdles to be leaped, it could be a while before Amazon Prime Air properly takes off (pun intended), but the fact that the company continues to push it — and has come up with with a snazzy new drone design, to boot — is a great reminder that the future is still on the way.

[Keyrigger]

Only in England, eh? Pity.

Don

[bcsaltchucker]

a wee bit fantastical I think. Extra weight of wings and pusher motor worsens the efficiency and payload imho

I think the 'Matternet' approach is easier to implement. small automated battery exchange platforms blanketing an area so the drones have unlimited range and increased payload

[Max]

Originally Posted by bcsaltchucker

I think the 'Matternet' approach is easier to implement. small automated battery exchange platforms blanketing an area so the drones have unlimited range and increased payload

Yeah. That is the system that I think would be most practical. I'm surprised they are not perusing that further at this time. Unless the ultimate plan would be to create a network using both technologies.

[Dark Helmet]

This delivery method looks a bit silly to me (albeit technically fascinating), but back then, so did the idea that one day the average Joe would have a cellphone. Now every 8-year old school kid has one.
I guess it just takes some getting used to. Just don't violate Turkish airspace .

[stegl]

Won't happen in our foreseeable future..... Kids cell phones.... just spoiled by their parents and peer pressure.. "come on mom , Joey has one; why can't I ? " .... Back when I was a kid , I had to work for that first well used car and paid for it out of what I went out and earned. Also no help with the gas.... empty tank I walked or got my buddies who didn't have cars ; to chip in.

[bhughes]

Just watched it Today. Way to many safety concerns for me lol. Kid or pet gets it first coin toss.

[Max]

Originally Posted by bhughes

Kid or pet gets it first coin toss.

Yup. Just another challenge that needs to be overcome. Just like drivelrless cars. Millions of issues at the beginning- more than 20 years ago. Almost ready for market today.

[bcsaltchucker]

The video itself is cartoon like. Can't really go by that piece of fluff to understand how the real system would work - especially early on.

However DHL has already gone ahead to implement multicopter deliver to a small island in the North Sea.

http://www.theguardian.com/technolog...livery-service

I think the implementation of drones is going to be in baby steps. First they'll try using them for easy runs like the DHL example. Then perhaps other remote rural areas, like they are building in Africa. Then take it a bit more urban, with deliveries to small depot (not direct to people's homes). and on it goes from there towards actual home delivery some time in the distant future

[sympley]

Still pretty good idea. There is also a project in some euro county where they are testing to deliver defilburator to a scene of a heart attack. I think there could be some good uses to drones its not all bad.