I saw this flash up on the news a little while ago.

I just thought I'd share.

Interesting times we live in.

Amazon using Drones

David

Yeah, it's all the buzz today on all the news channels (along with Auburn's win over the Tide). Amazon's Jeff Bezos was on 60 Minutes last night , and that was the catalyst for the media coverage. It's all pie-in-the-sky stuff - I can't ever see it being practical. While it might eventually have a few tiny niches where it's cost effective, for most cases, I can't see its efficacy. And I disagree with his claim that electric RC gear is "green".

Nonetheless, it was a very interesting segment (and I only happened to catch it 'cause I failed to tune away when the ball game ended). Amazon has done wonderfully in the world of web commerce - they truly get it, and they've created the infrastructure to support it well - altho they could still improve their search capabilities a bit.

But I don't ever expect to have packages delivered via self-guided drone helicopters unless I only live two blocks from the warehouse.

Doug

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YORF member #11

Oh, yea!

Where's my flying car?

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This morning the radio story was that they would conceivably offer this to people who live within a 10 mile radius of any of their 89 warehouses (rather than just two blocks). That covers quite a bit of territory really. I might actually be close enough for one of these myself (for their warehouse in Sumner, WA).

And 10 miles is certainly well within the limits of the state of the art of the multi-copters today. There will be some interesting problems yet to solve.... of an operational nature.

Very interesting indeed.

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Bernard Cawley
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They could certainly increase their range if they would go ahead step on up to rocket powered delivery.

Oh YEAH!

Oh, yes, I agree, absolutely. Bezos mentioned GPS - with that, they can deliver it just about anywhere. My take, tho, is that by the time they determine the real cost of delivery, it won't be any cheaper than today's current methods. They'll burn thru a ton of rechargeable batteries, enough to fill up a landfill (and that's part of why I say they're not all that green).

Doug

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YORF member #11

An 18 yr old with a 12 ga shotgun and deer slug shells will have a ton of fun taking down the drones.........

That's funny!

Now that you mention it, I do seem to recall a complaint from many years back, when folks claimed it'd be like having lawn mowers flying overhead. I can't recall what they were referring to, but this surely seems to fit

(That reminds me, there are a few lawn services that operate in my neighborhood that, some Saturday mornings, I'd like to take out "with a 12 ga shotgun"!)

Doug

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YORF member #11

One of the club members uses a drone to video launches but we still can't find lost rockets with it!

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If it flies, I can crash it!

I can't wait till they start delivering pizza and chinese food with it.

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If it flies, I can crash it!