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Amazon Unveils Delivery By Drone

zdnet.com

11–20 of 115 posts

Re: Amazon Unveils Delivery By Drone

#11

I think it's fair to say that between self driving cars and self guided quadracopters, it is entirely possible to have a fully or nearly autonomous end-to-end logistics system in the next 10-15 years. A lot of the problems with longer distance quadracopters could be overcome with a self driving delivery van, similar to an aircraft carrier with fighter jets.

"How does the package get from the self driving car to your porch?"

Re: Amazon Unveils Delivery By Drone

#15

I think it's fair to say that between self driving cars and self guided quadracopters, it is entirely possible to have a fully or nearly autonomous end-to-end logistics system in the next 10-15 years. A lot of the problems with longer distance quadracopters could be overcome with a self driving delivery van, similar to an aircraft carrier with fighter jets.

"How does the package get from the self driving car to your porch?"

Drone?

Re: Amazon Unveils Delivery By Drone

#16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you figure?

Lots of ways to knock out a drone out of the sky.

Presumably they'll have GPS and will phone home constantly- if someone shoots it down/hits it with a thrown ball/etc Amazon will probably send someone out to find it. If they find it mounted on someone's wall like a hunting trophy they'll call the police.

Re: Amazon Unveils Delivery By Drone

#18

I think it's fair to say that between self driving cars and self guided quadracopters, it is entirely possible to have a fully or nearly autonomous end-to-end logistics system in the next 10-15 years. A lot of the problems with longer distance quadracopters could be overcome with a self driving delivery van, similar to an aircraft carrier with fighter jets.

"How does the package get from the self driving car to your porch?"

I don't really mind going out to the curb to pick up a package

Re: Amazon Unveils Delivery By Drone

#19

I think it's fair to say that between self driving cars and self guided quadracopters, it is entirely possible to have a fully or nearly autonomous end-to-end logistics system in the next 10-15 years. A lot of the problems with longer distance quadracopters could be overcome with a self driving delivery van, similar to an aircraft carrier with fighter jets.

I was a bit distraught to see human hands touching my requested item at one point in the video. Surely that can be eliminated.

Re: Amazon Unveils Delivery By Drone

#20
post #4

Just last week I was having what I thought was a fanciful conversation with a friend about exactly this. I'm amazed to see this materialise and very interested to see how the regulation process is handled.

Crazy ridiculous idea: have the copters attached to a cable or pole that it drags along the ground, or whatever is necessary so it isn't considered a flying vehicle. Or just fly it really close to the ground.

Actually even just a UGV would be pretty useful.

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