• William
  • News
  • 3 minutes to read

Amazon Upgrades Its Delivery Drone With Next-Gen MK30

Amazon is committed to its vision of autonomous package delivery via drone. In a multiyear development process that has seen both progress and setbacks, the global retailer has finally reached a testing phase. Key to that phase will be a brand new design for a delivery drone, one tricked out with the absolute latest in unmanned flight technology.

To say the least, the transition from “a delivery driver brings you a box” to “a robot drops it out of the sky” has come with a few hurdles. At the same time, Amazon is adamant that drone delivery is the future for at least part of its business. Ever since Amazon patented its first drone in 2016 — the tech at the time more closely resembled a tiny hot air balloon on the back of an RC plane – the company has been committed to the creation of a safe, autonomous drone delivery system. The MK30, as Amazon is calling its latest box bot, is a significant step toward that outcome.

Merchandise takes to the skies

Reflecting Amazon’s seriousness about drone delivery, the major improvements of the MK30 over its predecessor, the MK27-2, are largely about customer and bystander comfort. Per the announcement on the About Amazon official blog, the new drone’s propellers will be 25% quieter than the MK27’s. The MK30 will also come with a cutting-edge sense-and-avoid system to guarantee safety when delivering in built-up areas. The all-electric MK30 will do most of its flying several hundred feet up, well away from possible obstacles, and can even tolerate light rain.

Amazon’s Prime Air received the FAA green light to operate its delivery drones in the U.S. in August 2020, according to CNBC. The company’s current plan is to start delivering packages under 5 pounds later this year. The first drone deliveries will be made in Lockeford, California, and College Station, Texas. As Amazon is rapidly running out of weeks left in the year, we hope to see deliveries taking to the skies sometime soon.


Source: http://www.slashgear.com/1096413/amazon-upgrades-its-delivery-drone-with-next-gen-mk30/

Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
guest

DJI Mini 4 Pro Waypoint Flight Explained: How It Works (And Why Its A Gamechanger)

The new DJI Mini 4 Pro has a lot to recommend it, including some attractive upgrades over its...

DJI Air 3 Review: High-End Features In A Mid-Range Drone

RATING : 9 / 10 Pros 3x telephoto camera adds flexibility Good image quality from both cameras Waypoint...

The U.S. Military Wants To Power Bases With A Flying Chain Of Laser Drones

The U.S. military has recently reported an interest in developing a new means of transporting power to remote...

This Creator Proves You Can Make A Drone Out Of Almost Anything

One of the biggest tech topics of the past several years has been the proliferation of drones. Unmanned...

The Reason Why This Drone Concept Is So Controversial

Some drone concepts sound good on paper, while others are so bad that it can even cost a...

The 5 Best Ways To Stop A Drone

Private and commercially owned drones are pretty much everywhere these days and are being used (or will be...

Iran Finally Has An Active Aircraft Carrier – But It’s Incredibly Unusual

When most people think of modern aircraft carriers and the nations that use them, they likely consider the...

Here’s Where Amazon’s Prime Air Delivery Drones Will Be Dropping Orders Next

Every year, Amazon ships billions of packages to customers around the globe. Delivering those packages is a combination...

The US Marine Corps Just Revealed Rogue 1: Its New Exploding Drone

On Tuesday, the U.S. Marine Corps and Teledyne FLIR Defense unveiled the "Rogue 1" — a vertical take-off...

Amazon Upgrades Its Delivery Drone With Next-Gen MK30

Amazon is committed to its vision of autonomous package delivery via drone. In a multiyear development process that...

DJI Mavic 3 Classic Brings Easy-To-Fly Pro Drone Under $1,500

One year after DJI announced its flagship Pro series consumer drones — the DJI Mavic 3 series —...

Drones Are Now Doing Dirty Jobs That Humans Don’t Want To Do

When the tech industry talks about drones, certain topics tend to dominate. Drones can revolutionize medicine. Drones will...

Is This Budget Friendly Mini Drone A Great Gift Or Just Overhyped?

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Drones are great tools for capturing unique vistas,...

5 Useful Apps Every Drone Owner Should Check Out

Whether you're a professional drone pilot who takes pictures from high above for a living or a hobbyist...

The German Navy Is Testing A New Unmanned Underwater Drone

When most people think of Germany's military, it's unlikely they picture the nation's navy, given how much its...

What’s The Top Speed Of The Fastest Drone You Can Buy Today?

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones aren't a new phenomenon, dating back to the First World War. However,...

This Mini Military Drone Costs Almost $200,000 – Here’s Why

"It's the military," so the old joke goes, "it pays more for everything." It's hard to forget that the...

The Air Force’s New Fighter Drones Could Change Air Combat

Drones have been around for a long time, but they've only become major players in global military operations...

The Best Drones For Photographers That Won’t Break The Bank

Drones are the next gadget to take your photography game to another level. Even with the latest and...

Do You Need A License To Fly A DJI Mavic 3 Classic? Here’s What You Need To Know

You might be surprised to learn that the FAA has over 1 million drones registered in the U.S.,...