Amazon: Seeing Drones Face Resistance

And one day it could be like this: While the customer is still thinking about whether or not he should order the dress, there is already a loud noise in the front yard. A drone drops a package on the balcony and it disappears. Something like, this seems to be the vision you’re hatching in Seattle at the grocery store, at Amazon. Get your desires before you are so confident in yourself and present them so quickly that you can no longer refuse them.

But before the visions come true – and they don’t always do so – there are ground challenges to overcome. As early as 2013, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announced delivery of drones within an hour, but things haven’t really started since then. The question also arises as to whether customers even want to be powered by autonomous aircraft. In this way, Amazon also suffered a setback here. In the small California town of Lockford, about 150 kilometers east of San Francisco, the online retailer wants to regularly service drones for the first time. But the enthusiasm there is limited, as all people have Washington Post Reports, the newspaper belonging to the current chairman of the board of directors, Bezos. Nadine Koster said she has many horses, goats and other animals: “The horses run smoothly through barbed wire or any kind of fence if they think they are in danger.” She worries that the drones might trigger it.

Many residents feel neglected

Amazon’s problem: The company has contacted local authorities, but they have kept the lid closed, as they always do when it comes to new projects. Many residents now feel neglected. Some can imagine having parcels delivered to the balcony, but others are vehemently against it, on principle: “They destroyed all the small shops,” said Tim Blyton. MailAnother reporter added: “They already have a lot of money and a lot of power anyway.”

However, it remains unclear whether Amazon’s power is sufficient to obtain the necessary permits. The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet decided whether it will approve the company’s request to use drones to deliver packages. It’s not that frivolous. Amazon chose Lockeford because there’s plenty of room out there – and perhaps also because they didn’t expect much resistance. If it is windy or raining, drivers must exit as before.

Not only is Germany much more populated than the USA, but there are also fairly strict regulations for operating aircraft due to the EU’s drone regulations. It has been in effect since the end of 2020, and the transition period for existing devices will also end at the end of this year. The drone itself, its driver and crew must all be certified. Only small (toy) drones can do without registration.

Amazon also asked a community in Texas, but there were several concerns at the city council meeting. One woman said one should let the people in Lockford go first.