Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Amazon Prime Air

amazon.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

81–90 of 604 posts

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#81

Post by dpcan »

ams6110 wrote: post #43
chad_oliver wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, they're not entirely unsuitable for urban areas. Instead, their (relatively) short range means that they're unsuitable for anything except urban areas. If designed poorly, they would be very unsafe, but there are plenty of ways to increase the safety. For example, notice that the drones have more than 4 rotors. This gives a bit of redundancy so that a motor can fail without causing the drone to crash.

Can't wait until the first time one shreds a customer's dog, (or face, child, etc.) as it tries to deposit a package on her front porch.

Why does this thing even have to land?

Can't it drop each package with a mini parachute from about roof-top level with good accuracy? Or even 10ft, just above the height of most kids, dogs, cars and adults.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#82

Post by farnsworth »

sillysaurus2 wrote: post #62

A lot of people live in apartments. I assume they'll be excluded from this. Also related: http://tacocopter.com/

It would be great if it would drop packages on my balcony. Then I don't have to be home but it's safe and I don't have to pick it up from the leasing office when they open.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#83

Post by kiddz »

Why would they announce it now. . . let's see a day before Cyber Monday and my guess is that 1) they are sincerely doing this, but 2) they are aware up the inevitable PR uptick the day before the busiest online shopping event of the year. Nice move to garner a lot a free attention that will result in greater overall (non-drone-delivered) sales.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#84

Post by read »

wiremine wrote: post #32

Just watched the 60 minutes segment: Bezos say they won't be ready until 2015 at the earliest, likely 2016. (Edit: as the commenter below pointed out, I misheard the timeframe: is is 4-5 years out) He said the range is 10 miles, which is good enough for most residential areas. They are aiming for delivery in 30 minutes. The drones are autonomous: you plug in the GPS coordinates and away they go. The biggest challenge…

This is a startup opportunity. Amazon's competitors will want a drone delivery service even if they can't build the drones or service themselves.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#85

Post by mcphilip »

sillysaurus2 wrote: post #62

A lot of people live in apartments. I assume they'll be excluded from this. Also related: http://tacocopter.com/

Apparently tacocopter is closer to satire than a prank. It's a vision of how drones could be used in the future once regulation gets figured out.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120327/04431918256/why-yo...

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#86

Post by NoPiece »

a8da6b0c91d wrote: post #71
snogglethorpe wrote: post #60

It doesn't seem like the battery density exists for anything except fairly short distances with very small packages. For the vast majority of deliveries, this could only be a "last mile" mechanism, with the bulk of each delivery happening via more traditional transport. 30-minute delivery from the warehouse? Not going to be possible for 99% of purchases, even those that are under the weight limits. Moreover, you can'…

> battery density Why wouldn't these drones be gasoline powered?

Noise would be an issue with gas powered drones.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#87

Post by maccard »

fragsworth wrote: post #26

Brick-and-mortar stores are doomed. I can only see a few types of products remaining in brick-and-mortars: Clothes that you want to try for size, fruits and vegetables that you want to sample, and restaurants... any others?

My parents still buy EVERYTHING in brick and mortars. I work in a retail store, selling computers and accessories. People tell me it's dead, I can guarantee you it's not. Maybe when our parents generations are gone, but not until then.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#88

Post by 1qaz2wsx3edc »

wiremine wrote: post #32

Just watched the 60 minutes segment: Bezos say they won't be ready until 2015 at the earliest, likely 2016. (Edit: as the commenter below pointed out, I misheard the timeframe: is is 4-5 years out) He said the range is 10 miles, which is good enough for most residential areas. They are aiming for delivery in 30 minutes. The drones are autonomous: you plug in the GPS coordinates and away they go. The biggest challenge…

It seems like they only want to put pressure on the FAA. 3/4 FAQs mention the FAA.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#89

Post by deletes »

pdknsk wrote: post #51

I have two remarks or questions. The person who receives the package doesn't have to (or cannot) sign for it apparently. How difficult is it to shoot down such a drone to get the loot, if you will. Might become a sport for some folks.

I assume the delivery must be made available on private property to avoid the case of stealing when the drone drops the package.

As for the shooting, well it is illegal and would be punished. The copter would very probably be equipped with a video camera with a feed streaming back home which would help recognize the attacker. Then after a few publicized examples, most people would cease such activities.

Re: Amazon Prime Air

#90

Post by toyg »

snogglethorpe wrote: post #60

It doesn't seem like the battery density exists for anything except fairly short distances with very small packages. For the vast majority of deliveries, this could only be a "last mile" mechanism, with the bulk of each delivery happening via more traditional transport. 30-minute delivery from the warehouse? Not going to be possible for 99% of purchases, even those that are under the weight limits. Moreover, you can'…

>What this really looks like is an unintentional leak of Amazon's next April 1st gag

… by CBS News? Don't think so.

Post reply on HN