Author: Finch Fulton, Former VOXer
It appears they were serious.
In a move that garnered disbelief, satire, spoofs and whole-hearted criticism, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, announced in December 2013 on 60 Minutes that Amazon would investigate the ability to deliver packages with drones by 2015. In a move eliciting substantially fewer chuckles, Amazon recently filed a request with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to test their “Prime Air” delivery system near Seattle.
There is a myriad of wonderful potential uses for these domestic drones. Imagine your mechanic having the ability to request spare parts wherever your car breaks down, or needing an emergency prescription refill, or simply having an unexpected but urgent need for pizza? A recent Rasmussen Poll found that “an overwhelming majority of Americans support the idea of using drones to help with search and rescue missions (80%).” However, the same survey found that “26% of Likely U.S. Voters favor the use of unmanned drone aircraft for commercial purposes such as package delivery, but nearly twice as many (50%) oppose that idea. Twenty-four percent (24%) are not sure.” However, the poll may not be the most accurate reflection of current views because it first asked questions about the accidental killing of civilians by military drones, which would certainly produce negative emotions.
Age also comes into play. According to a Reason-Rupe poll: “Americans’ thoughts about the use of drones for package delivery is highly correlated with age, as younger people feel more positively about the technology than do older Americans. Fifty-nine percent of those under 35, including 68 percent of people 18-24, say Amazon’s idea makes them think more positively about the future, compared to 44 percent of 35-54 year olds and just 34 percent of Americans ages 55 and over who agree.”
In 2012, Congress directed the FAA to come up with a plan for “safe integration” of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) by September 30, 2015. Currently, the FAA is investigating the safe integration of drones at six sites around the country and allowing for a case-by-case review of other commercial sites. In September of 2013, the FAA granted ConocoPhillips approval to use four unmanned aerial vehicles to perform marine mammal and ice surveys. The FAA estimates that within five years of this date there will be roughly 7,500 commercial drones.
There is certainly room for regulations that drone makers, operators and the public can agree upon, although currently a state of uncertainty reigns. The FAA has issued numerous cease-and-desist letters to operators; however, according to the Columbus Dispatch, “A federal judge overturned the only FAA fine handed out so far against a commercial drone user. The judge ruled that the small drone used by an aerial photographer in Virginia was no different than a traditional model aircraft under current guidelines.” Regardless, the FAA continues to assert that it has the right to regulate nearly every flying thing at any altitude – including for recreational, hobby, business or commercial purposes – over private property.
Either way, what Amazon is doing is smart. With public sentiment so tepid, and Congress and the FAA likely to implement regulations eventually – potentially reactively to a disaster – Amazon can protect its investment by proactively engaging the FAA and shaping their rulings.
If nothing else, it no longer seems crazy to believe that Amazon could use this to revolutionize the consumer purchasing experience the way UPS, Walmart, or, well, Amazon has before. They may just pull this off.
Author: Finch Fulton, Former VOXer
It appears they were serious.
In a move that garnered disbelief, satire, spoofs and whole-hearted criticism, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, announced in December 2013 on 60 Minutes that Amazon would investigate the ability to deliver packages with drones by 2015. In a move eliciting substantially fewer chuckles, Amazon recently filed a request with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to test their “Prime Air” delivery system near Seattle.
There is a myriad of wonderful potential uses for these domestic drones. Imagine your mechanic having the ability to request spare parts wherever your car breaks down, or needing an emergency prescription refill, or simply having an unexpected but urgent need for pizza? A recent Rasmussen Poll found that “an …
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