📦 Drone delivery shift 🌍
Amazon's ambitious drone delivery service, Prime Air, which began in Lockeford, California in 2022, is coming to a halt. The company has decided to relocate operations to Tolleson, Arizona, with the promise of same-day deliveries within the Phoenix West Valley metro area. This transition is scheduled to take place later this year, following the shutdown of the California site.
🚀 Next phase in Arizona 🌵
Av Zammit, an Amazon spokesperson, mentioned that the new Arizona location will be the first to deploy drones directly from a same-day delivery site. This integration is a strategic move to optimize delivery efficiency and expand service to more densely populated areas. The launch is a part of Amazon's broader objective to deliver 500 million packages via drone by 2030.
🛠️ Technical advancements 🔧
Amazon isn't just shifting locations; it's also innovating with new drone technology. The MK30 drone, introduced in November 2022, features lighter construction and enhanced weather resistance, capable of flying through light rain. Currently in the testing phase, this model is anticipated to start operating later this year, bolstering the fleet's capabilities and reliability.
📉 A comparative glance 📊
Despite an early lead in drone deliveries announced back in 2013, Amazon has faced challenges scaling up. With a target of 10,000 drone deliveries by the end of 2023, the actual figures stood at only 100 by mid-2023. However, Amazon claims it has ramped up to "thousands" of deliveries since. In contrast, its competitor Zipline has completed over 1 million deliveries as of April 19, 2024.
Will Amazon's new drone hub succeed?
