Amazon drones could deliver packages in Arizona this year
An Arizona city has been picked as the first U.S. location to debut Amazon’s latest delivery drone technology.
The e-commerce giant’s new drone technology, called MK30, will deploy from Amazon’s same-day facility at 10601 W. Van Buren St. in Tolleson, which is located about 20 minutes west of downtown Phoenix.
Amazon.com Inc.’s (Nasdaq: AMZN) drones could start flying packages straight to homes in the West Valley by the end of 2024, according to a company announcement on April 22.
Amazon’s same-day sites like the one in Tolleson are smaller hybrid facilities for both fulfillment and delivery operations that allow for expedited shipping. The MK30 drone technology will also be deployed in College Station, Texas, where Amazon has already been testing its self-flying technology for the past couple of years at a Prime Air delivery center.
The exact timing of when drone deliveries can start in the West Valley and the range of how far they can deliver are still being determined, but the technology could help lower costs for driving and improve delivery times for customers.
“As Amazon embarks on the national expansion of its Amazon Drone Delivery Program, we’re proud to have their innovative presence in our community,” Tolleson Mayor Juan Rodriguez said in a statement. “By bringing this service to new communities, they’re not just delivering goods; they’re delivering opportunities and economic growth.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said this type of delivery “is the future” and that it could also help reduce pollution and “further cement our city as a hotbed for the innovative technology of tomorrow.”
Amazon is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and Tolleson officials to obtain necessary permissions for the drone deliveries in the area, the company said in its announcement. After they’ve received approvals, Amazon will reach out to customers in the West Valley once the service is live later this year.
Amazon drone parcels have maximum weight requirements
The type of products that can be ordered for drone delivery have to meet the weight limitations of up to five pounds and are typically smaller items like food, medicine or batteries, which are placed in a package inside the drone.
Amazon started testing drone deliveries in College Station and Lockeford, California, a couple years back from specific Prime Air delivery centers. The company said it has delivered thousands of items to customers in less than an hour since starting drone delivery in 2022.
Operations at the California facility will be discontinued, Amazon also announced. All current employees will be offered opportunities at other sites.
Moving forward, Amazon will deploy the technology in its existing distribution and fulfillment network, particularly from its same-day facilities. Amazon expects to open more U.S. drone locations starting in 2025.
Amazon is also deploying its drone technology in Italy and the United Kingdom at its fulfillment centers.
Amazon has been working on its drone delivery service for the past decade and is set to launch its new MK30 aircraft with improved durability and range that will extend twice as far as its previous models, the company said.
Packages are expected to handle more extreme weather conditions including light rain, heat and cold, and also be quieter, smaller and lighter than previous models.
Amazon said it’s currently conducting flight tests for the MK30 drone. The aircraft is also expected to deliver packages to customers with smaller backyards and in more densely populated areas.
Metro Phoenix has become a landing spot for automated technologies including Waymo’s self-driving cars and new partnerships between Waymo and Uber Eats for autonomous food delivery.