U.S. Commercial Drone Deliveries Will Finally Be a Thing in 2020
Autonomous package delivery system
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for enabling unmanned and optionally-manned cargo delivery to personnel on the ground. For example, an aircraft may be used to provide rapid response cargo delivery to widely separated small units in demanding and unpredictable conditions that pose unacceptable risks to both ground resupply personnel and aircrew. Together with a ground vehicle, packages from the aircraft may be deployed to ground personnel in disbursed operating locations without exposing the ground personnel to the aircraft's open landing zone.
Linked Resources:
Patent Download | Drone Servalliance
Linked Resources:
Patent Download | Drone Servalliance
Amazon just got FAA approval to fly drones for deliveries
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a certificate to Amazon Prime Air on Wednesday, allowing the company to operate its MK27 unmanned aircraft for package deliveries, the federal agency said in a statement.
On the same day, Amazon (AMZN) announced it will begin delivering packages to customers by drone “within months” at its artificial intelligence, robotics and space conference re:Mars in Las Vegas. Amazon’s certificate is valid for one year and is eligible for renewal, according to the FAA.
Amazon drone surveillance services
The USPTO "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Based Surveillance as a Service" patent, number US 10313638, describes how an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) -- otherwise known as a drone -- can "perform a surveillance action at a property of an authorized party."
Amazon’s delivery drones are not yet dropping off packages, but the company is already envisioning how else that might be used — including by offering “surveillance as a service.” Amazon was recently granted a patent that outlines how its UAVs could keep an eye on customers’ property between deliveries while supposedly maintaining their privacy.
The patent was originally filed in June 2015 and became public earlier this month. It describes how the company’s drones could be hired to look out for open garage doors, broken windows, graffiti, or even a fire, before alerting the owner of the property.
