This undated handout photo released by Amazon on December 1, 2013 shows a
flying "octocopter" mini-drone that would be used to fly small packages
to consumers. Photo/Amazon/AFP
The world’s largest retailer Amazon is testing unmanned drones to deliver goods to customers.
The
Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos told CBS television that drones could
be used to deliver packages weighing upto 2.3kg to the customer within
30mins.
The online retailer may start using the drones within a period of 5 years pending approval by the US authorities
.
“I know this sounds like fiction but it will happen,” he said in the 60min long programme.
The
US has been using drones solely for security reasons and it remains to
be seen whether authorities will approve its use for commercial
purposes.
If the move succeeds the
drone will join a number of military inventions that have found their
place in the civilian life such as the four wheel drive hummer among
others.
Amazon just like any other
online store has been working to deliver customer goods as fast as
possible compared to the brick and mortar ones.
The
drones dubbed 'octocopters' are fitted with GPS technology which
enables them to locate destinations and drop the packages at the exact
point.
The mini drones could cover a radius of about 16 kilometers making them useful especially in urban settings.
Amazon
says the move is informed by the need for the store to remain ontop of
the market that is facing tight competition from other players.
The service called Prime Air will be able to deliver 2kg orders which form 86 per cent of orders from customers.
Australian textbook rental firm, Zookal had earlier said it will start doing deliveries from 2015 pending approval.
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