Amazon planning to use drones for local deliveries

[Eclipse]

Featured on 60 minutes last night:

"...can't be before 2015..." Which says to me "...look to 2016..."



http://www.amazon.com/b?ref_=tsm_1_tw_s_amzn_mx3eqp&node=8037720011&tag=technabob1-20

Amazon's Jeff Bezos looks to the future

[Panache]

Both intriguing and creepy at the same time.

I wonder what the range on those things are.

EDIT: According to the vid, that generation drone has a round-trip range of ten miles.

[TexasCadet]

What is the benefit of using a drone that can carry fewer packages over a truck that can carry many more? Plus, what if some decides to "rob" it? All they have to do is shoot or hijack the signal. Also, this would not work in big cities. Too many people, tall buildings, and birds.

Edited for grammar.

[a2capt]

I can't wait for the NTSB reports ;-)

[Eclipse]

What is the benefit of using a drone that can carry fewer packages over a truck that can carry many more? Plus, what if some decides to "rob" it? All they have to do is shoot or hijack the signal. Also, this would not work in big cities. Too many people, tall buildings, and birds.

Edited for grammar.

Did you watch the video? (The full Amazon feature is an eye-opener as well.)

The idea here is to place their fulfillment centers all over the US so that most people can be serviced within that 10-mile (sure to grow) radius.   Also, ~85% of their current products could be shipped using the existing devices, with a 30-minute delivery time.

That's HUGE!

Not to mention that these devices are way less expensive then a person, and can fly essentially "line of sight".

Heavy urban areas? Not sure.  Suburban areas with single-family homes and townhouses?  No problem.

[Panache]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

[Garibaldi]

Is anyone else concerned that Skynet is plotting its takeover?

[Al Sayre]

My dogs are going to love this...

[Al Sayre]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

I think Jesse James built a prototype for the Robo Truck on Monster Garage a few years ago...

[Panache]

Is anyone else concerned that Skynet is plotting its takeover?

(thick Austrian accent)
Come with me if you want your stuff.
(/accent)

[Майор Хаткевич]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

Watched their short video....seems to me those plastic containers are a cost...I'd rather the thing had bomb-bay doors to drop the item out of the container. 2.0?

[NIN]

Is anyone else concerned that Skynet is plotting its takeover?

I for one welcome our plastic bin delivering drone overlords.

[Peeka]

Even if the delivery address is out of range of an airborne drone, don't forget that they've been working on autonomous car vehicle technology for a while now.  I wonder how long before that gets rolled out (pun not intended).

So, what the Amazon Air Drone may not be able to reach, the Amazon Robo-Truck will.  Definitely cool stuff.

Watched their short video....seems to me those plastic containers are a cost...I'd rather the thing had bomb-bay doors to drop the item out of the container. 2.0?

Amazon will probably replace them with styrofoam boxes.

[a2capt]

They could always come back and collect the plastic box, aka the pie pan deposit..

[SARDOC]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

[EMT-83]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

[Eclipse]

This is likely why Bezos rolled this out, we are, as is becoming the norm, behind the curve...

http://techcrunch.com/2013/12/02/amazon-is-joining-not-starting-the-drone-delivery-revolution/



InCake UFO delivery service

[PHall]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

[SarDragon]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

Rock salt ought to do the trick.  Or a slug if you're a real hot shot. 

[PHall]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

Rock salt ought to do the trick.  Or a slug if you're a real hot shot. 

.22cal rifle if you're feelin' froggy!

[Panache]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

"Darn kids and their drones!  Get off my lawn... er... airspace!"

[TexasCadet]

I'll have to sit a couple of miles away from out from one of the center's with a shotgun and see what comes my way.

Pull!

Decisions, decisions.  Buck shot or bird shot....

Rock salt ought to do the trick.  Or a slug if you're a real hot shot. 

.22cal rifle if you're feelin' froggy!

No, no, no.



   ^
This one.

[A.Member]

Anyone that thinks this is truly viable possibility in the foreseeable future needs to get their head checked....or better yet simply PM me with all your bank account info and I'll make sure you're first on the list.

Simply stated, this is horrible "journalism" (and I use that term in the loosest manner possible).   This was merely a PR effort by Amazon...and on Cyber Monday no less. 

[Майор Хаткевич]

People said the same thing about airplanes 120 years ago.

[TexasCadet]

But that was 120 years ago! Now, with excellent public-school education, we know a lot more!

[Storm Chaser]

But that was 120 years ago! Now, with excellent public-school education, we know a lot more!

[emphasis mine]

Which reminds me; shouldn't you be at school right now?

[Майор Хаткевич]

Around 1875 there was a patent officer who said they should close the patent office as everything possible has been invented.

[a2capt]

Flying hacker contraption hunts other drones, turns them into zombies

Ever wanted your own botnet of flying drones? SkyJack can help.

Serial hacker Samy Kamkar has released all the hardware and software specifications that hobbyists need to build an aerial drone that seeks out other drones in the air, hacks them, and turns them into a conscripted army of unmanned vehicles under the attacker's control. ...

[A.Member]

Around 1875 there was a patent officer who said they should close the patent office as everything possible has been invented.

Not even remotely relevant to the real issue here.

You clearly have no understanding of supply chain and retail.   While there are technology hurdles to overcome (some are not so trivial - payload size, weather, etc), there are much more significant non-technical hurdles, not the least of which include environmental, legal/regulatory, logistical/fulfillment, and finanical. 

Do you know anything about Amazon's business model?  How do their margins compare with other retailers?  If so, why?  When you understand these things in more detail, you'll understand why this is really a joke. 

It's fun to dream...and will fulfillment be handled another way someday? I'm sure it will.  And when it happens it'll be a game changer.   What will that change ultimately look like?  I don't know.  Perhaps drones will play a role.  But in 4 -5 years?   Not a chance.   And in 30 minutes or less?  If not, do I get my pizza for free?

Even if you don't understand supply chain, take a step back and think about it for a minute and you realize that Amazon's statements are pretty silly.  It's a PR move (and an arguably effective one), nothing more.

[a2capt]

And in 30 minutes or less?  If not do I get my pizza for free?

..and remember when that used to be the case? 30 minutes or it's free?

No more. After a few lawsuits alleging that "guarantee" fostered an environment where drivers were penalized, thus encouraging them to drive like maniacs and run over people..

Now you see delivery as a line item, instead of it being included in the cost of the product.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Around 1875 there was a patent officer who said they should close the patent office as everything possible has been invented.

Not even remotely relevant to the real issue here.

You clearly have no understanding of supply chain and retail.   While there are technology hurdles to overcome (some are not so trivial - payload size, weather, etc), there are much more significant non-technical hurdles, not the least of which include environmental, legal/regulatory, logistical/fulfillment, and finanical. 

Do you know anything about Amazon's business model?  How do their margins compare with other retailers?  If so, why?  When you understand these things in more detail, you'll understand why this is really a joke. 

It's fun to dream...and will fulfillment be handled another way someday? I'm sure it will.  And when it happens it'll be a game changer.   What will that change ultimately look like?  I don't know.  Perhaps drones will play a role.  But in 4 -5 years?   Not a chance.   And in 30 minutes or less?  If not, do I get my pizza for free?

Even if you don't understand supply chain, take a step back and think about it for a minute and you realize that Amazon's statements are pretty silly.  It's a PR move (and an arguably effective one), nothing more.

I know plenty on supply chains and retail. And Amazon's business model. which is why they COULD pull it off.

[A.Member]

Around 1875 there was a patent officer who said they should close the patent office as everything possible has been invented.

Not even remotely relevant to the real issue here.

You clearly have no understanding of supply chain and retail.   While there are technology hurdles to overcome (some are not so trivial - payload size, weather, etc), there are much more significant non-technical hurdles, not the least of which include environmental, legal/regulatory, logistical/fulfillment, and finanical. 

Do you know anything about Amazon's business model?  How do their margins compare with other retailers?  If so, why?  When you understand these things in more detail, you'll understand why this is really a joke. 

It's fun to dream...and will fulfillment be handled another way someday? I'm sure it will.  And when it happens it'll be a game changer.   What will that change ultimately look like?  I don't know.  Perhaps drones will play a role.  But in 4 -5 years?   Not a chance.   And in 30 minutes or less?  If not, do I get my pizza for free?

Even if you don't understand supply chain, take a step back and think about it for a minute and you realize that Amazon's statements are pretty silly.  It's a PR move (and an arguably effective one), nothing more.

I know plenty on supply chains and retail. And Amazon's business model. which is why they COULD pull it off.

Really?  Then answer the basic questions I posed earlier.  Who is their competition?  How do their margins compare?  What is their fulfillment model?  How will these things enable Amazon to acheive their dream?  I'd love to see your responses.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Around 1875 there was a patent officer who said they should close the patent office as everything possible has been invented.

Not even remotely relevant to the real issue here.

You clearly have no understanding of supply chain and retail.   While there are technology hurdles to overcome (some are not so trivial - payload size, weather, etc), there are much more significant non-technical hurdles, not the least of which include environmental, legal/regulatory, logistical/fulfillment, and finanical. 

Do you know anything about Amazon's business model?  How do their margins compare with other retailers?  If so, why?  When you understand these things in more detail, you'll understand why this is really a joke. 

It's fun to dream...and will fulfillment be handled another way someday? I'm sure it will.  And when it happens it'll be a game changer.   What will that change ultimately look like?  I don't know.  Perhaps drones will play a role.  But in 4 -5 years?   Not a chance.   And in 30 minutes or less?  If not, do I get my pizza for free?

Even if you don't understand supply chain, take a step back and think about it for a minute and you realize that Amazon's statements are pretty silly.  It's a PR move (and an arguably effective one), nothing more.

I know plenty on supply chains and retail. And Amazon's business model. which is why they COULD pull it off.

Really?  Then answer the basic questions I posed earlier.  Who is their competition?  How do their margins compare?  What is their fulfillment model?  How will these things enable Amazon to acheive their dream?  I'd love to see your responses.

Did plenty of that for my college professors. Have a finance degree to prove it. But I'm not about to write a dissertation here (and that's about as much typing as answering those questions would take) just to appease you to try to prove that I have no idea about how Amazon works, their slim margins (which are not, really), or why you think they can't pull something like this off. Nobody thought they would pull off "free" 2 day delivery either. Nobody thought this expensive e-reader thing would take off. Nobody thought Amazon could sell anything outside of books.  The joke is on them.

[A.Member]

Did plenty of that for my college professors. Have a finance degree to prove it. But I'm not about to write a dissertation here (and that's about as much typing as answering those questions would take) just to appease you to try to prove that I have no idea about how Amazon works, their slim margins (which are not, really), or why you think they can't pull something like this off. Nobody thought they would pull off "free" 2 day delivery either. Nobody thought this expensive e-reader thing would take off. Nobody thought Amazon could sell anything outside of books.  The joke is on them.

Got it.  You took a college class...so, you're all schooled up on supply chain and retail operations.  I stayed at Holiday Inn Express.   

My intent isn't to keep beating you up on this but you're well out of your sandbox here.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Did plenty of that for my college professors. Have a finance degree to prove it. But I'm not about to write a dissertation here (and that's about as much typing as answering those questions would take) just to appease you to try to prove that I have no idea about how Amazon works, their slim margins (which are not, really), or why you think they can't pull something like this off. Nobody thought they would pull off "free" 2 day delivery either. Nobody thought this expensive e-reader thing would take off. Nobody thought Amazon could sell anything outside of books.  The joke is on them.

Got it.  You took a college class...so, you're all schooled up on supply chain and retail operations.  I stayed at Holiday Inn Express.   

My intent isn't to keep beating you up on this but you're well out of your sandbox here.

Clearly.

[Eclipse]

Who is their competition?

In what space?  Product sales?  Books?  Cloud Services?  It isn't a fixed market because they are in everything, thus shielded
from a lot of the market rubberband because one sector can make up for another.

They compete with just about everyone from Walmart to eBay to Google to Barnes and Noble.

How do their margins compare?

Again, which sector, not to mention it's mostly irreverent since they are sitting on piles of cash, nearly $3B, and they've made it clear
that short-term profitability isn't their main focus (pretty amazing, actually, in this tie where share holder value is the main focus
to see a successful company happy enough with just "being").

What is their fulfillment model?

Which one?  Direct sales? 3rd party fulfillment? Cloud services and media sales? Heck in that space they compete with some of their biggest customers.
In product sales their published model is increasing regional and local centers to put the product, especially those anticipated to be heavy sellers,
as near to the customer as possible - they also outsource fulfillment as well.  The other day I ordered pens from Amazon and
the box came from the Sam's club down the street. 

You might also have missed that they are poised to become the "Sunday Postmaster General".

Maybe they don't get launched from the fulfillment center, maybe the move out on the trucks and where possible
a central truck launches the deliveries for an entire subdivision and then retrieves them on the other side?

How will these things enable Amazon to acheive their dream? 

Hmmm, piles of cash, huge market influence, substantial share across diverse markets and sectors, partnering with their competitors, also piles
of cash, and being one of a few home-field-advantage businesses left with a world-wide reach and influence. 

Within that 4-5 year timeline supposed, drones will be 10-fold more sophisticated, while at the same time 3d printing
is going to disrupt the retail space pretty hard as well.  I'd guess instafulfillment will be the base model with
"whatever works" as the mantra.

[Panache]

[4fhoward]

expensive skeet birds

[a2capt]

[TexasCadet]

I heard this somewhere: "Soon, a new sport will develop: Inner-City Skeet Shooting."

[Panache]

If he could tag a flying drone with an AR, that's quite impressive.

[Майор Хаткевич]

It was coming in for a landing...

[4fhoward]

Walmart to install SAMs to counter Amazon drones.
http://www.rockcitytimes.com/walmart-install-mini-surface-air-missiles-store-roofs-shoot-amazon-drones/

[Pulsar]

http://www.worldmag.com/editorialcartoons/1477

[TexasCadet]

Walmart to install SAMs to counter Amazon drones.
http://www.rockcitytimes.com/walmart-install-mini-surface-air-missiles-store-roofs-shoot-amazon-drones/

This is awesome! However, maybe Walmart could use radar-guided bullets.

Sooner or later, these missile operators will start complaining about low wages. Perhaps Walmart could use anti-drone drones?

[MIKE]

SAM is overkill... Just need something like a CIWS in a smaller caliber like 5.56 or 7.62.  Radar lock and a quick burst and bye bye drone.

[a2capt]

Wait, you mean they make missiles at SAM's club?

[sardak]

Order here

Mike

[a2capt]

This is spawning all kinds of fun.

[Eclipse]

[Panache]

SAM is overkill... Just need something like a CIWS in a smaller caliber like 5.56 or 7.62.  Radar lock and a quick burst and bye bye drone.

There's no kill like overkill.

Wait, you mean they make missiles at SAM's club?

[SarDragon]

There was a bit on the news tonight about this, and they showed some vid clips of birds of prey attacking various RC aircraft. It wasn't pretty, and the RC stuff lost every time, involving some harsh crashes.

[FlyTiger77]

There was a bit on the news tonight about this, and they showed some vid clips of birds of prey attacking various RC aircraft. It wasn't pretty, and the RC stuff lost every time, involving some harsh crashes.

I have a video clip somewhere taken from my RC helicopter (as it was falling out of control, but that is a different story) that shows a red-tailed hawk diving at it.

[PHall]

There was a bit on the news tonight about this, and they showed some vid clips of birds of prey attacking various RC aircraft. It wasn't pretty, and the RC stuff lost every time, involving some harsh crashes.

I have a video clip somewhere taken from my RC helicopter (as it was falling out of control, but that is a different story) that shows a red-tailed hawk diving at it.

My money is on the Hawk!

[TexasCadet]

Does this mean that the Amazon drones will be equipped with self-defense systems, radar-jamming equipment, and chaff?

[PHall]

Does this mean that the Amazon drones will be equipped with self-defense systems, radar-jamming equipment, and chaff?

The next frame shows the laser on the drone taking out the missile!

[Garibaldi]

I see something in the near future...enterprising and evil cadets using their newfound model rocketry skills to create mini-SAMs and having a field day around this time of year. It could happen.

[TexasCadet]

I see something in the near future...enterprising and evil cadets using their newfound model rocketry skills to create mini-SAMs and having a field day around this time of year. It could happen.

Exactly! Now I have a renewed interest in rockets!