Amazon to deliver via drones in 4-5 years

[Drastic]

RC, you'd get your own designated flight path from amazon delivery warehouse, first priority right of way.

[bill]

This is all fine and dandy until somebody develops this:

http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/12/flying-hacker-contraption-hunts-other-drones-turns-them-into-zombies/

Flying hacker contraption hunts other drones, turns them into zombies

[ergophobe]

If you think about it, self-flying drones are a much easier problem than self-driving cars - no roads to stay on. 3D means fewer chances for collisions. If they fly fast enough and have good evasive manoeuvers, that will make it tough for the average duck hunter to hunt for Christmas presents. Now, well-placed netting in a narrow pass could yield a terrific haul.

Seriously, though, depending on the technology, I could see this being especially useful for rural areas. Sometimes the UPS truck has to do a 2 mile RT to my neighborhood for a single package.

Of course, there's one thing that a drone can't replace. In the situation just mentioned, the driver will often track down a recipient or spouse at work and deliver there. And of course, we successfully received a letter that was literally addressed with nothing but

MyFirstName and MyWifesFirstName
Our Town, Our State

That's it. We got it right on time. No delay.

[Mackin USA]

Walmart to Install Surface-to-Air Missiles on Store Rooftops to Shoot Down Amazon Drones

http://www.rockcitytimes.com/walmart-install-mini-surface-air-missiles-store-roofs-shoot-amazon-drones/

[Brad]

Walmart to Install Surface-to-Air Missiles on Store Rooftops to Shoot Down Amazon Drones

http://www.rockcitytimes.com/walmart-install-mini-surface-air-missiles-store-roofs-shoot-amazon-drones/

There is a video game here.

[grnidone]

Am I the only one wondering about what dogs will do to this thing?  I can see some dogs watching the thing land and then ripping it to bits!

[littleman]

Or, it would rip the dog to bits...  Those blades look dangerous.

[rcjordan]

They read our thread...

http://www.wired.com/2014/06/the-next-big-thing-you-missed-delivery-drones-launched-from-trucks-are-the-future-of-shipping/

[Chunkford]

The FAA isn't having any of it.
Spoil sports...

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2014/06/faa-banhammer-drone-deliveries/

[rcjordan]

2013 thread. bump for reality check.

[rcjordan]

Amazon applies for patent on secondary delivery vehicle to carry packages from truck to doorstep
https://techxplore.com/news/2021-07-amazon-patent-secondary-delivery-vehicle.html