Delivery By Drone?

[Macca]

Not sure if you guys have heard too much about it yet, but amazon have some very cool plans for "4 to 5 years" down the road: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-unveils-futuristic-plan-delivery-by-drone/

My question: What's the stop me from claiming the "octocopter" as an early Christmas present when it arrives on my doorstep? I bet you I could reprogram it to take out my trash.

[saladFingrs]

great way for them to get their fancy factory on TV which they never would've done otherwise!

I can see this happening for people in remote communities possibly, or places with large elderly populations in regional areas, but inner city/suburbs there's just too many obstacles to fly around

I can't see them getting public liability insurance cleared…heheh

[Gryphus_1]

I look forward to the inevitable weaponry added for theft prevention. I can see it now... People dropping like flies as the drone moves down the street tazzing everyone who points in it's direction.

G1

[OUTLAW]

Ya, I can't imagine the FAA allowing this to happen with all the possible hazards that exist. It's a cool idea, but I'm sure it had more to do with promoting the company for free on Cyber Monday.

[TIGR]

That's awesome. Since this seems to be restricted to large metro areas, my guess on the security question is that there will be live feeds from cameras mounted on each unit such that any problems are quickly noticed. And I doubt we want to know the price tag and thus the potential penalty for trying to take or damage one. They need not be armed. Built-in GPS trackers are a given. And since they don't seem much bigger than recreational aerial RC vehicles already in use (and presumably have modest weight and volume capacities), the FAA can only find so many things to whine about.

[Gryphus_1]

Drone couriers are pretty much happening.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/03/ups-experimenting-with-delivery-drones/

Sadly they will most likely have to register flight corridors with the FAA. After all, a whole new segment of commerce and we expect the government not to try and regulate it...

G1

[TIGR]

That's good timing for UPS. My totally awesome UPS delivery lady, who's been servicing my area for a couple decades, is retiring next year. If they'd brought the drones out before her retirement I'd be upset. But since no human can replace her, I'd welcome drones.

[Gryphus_1]

I wish USPS would use drones. Then my mail might stop getting stolen by a mailman angered over a polite request to stop cutting through our backyard...

G1

[TIGR]

Ooh that mailman is going to be facing a pretty serious felony if he gets caught.