In late 2013, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos introduced his plans for Amazon Prime Air, a 30 minute delivery option via drone-like “octocopters.” These octocopters will have a 10 mile radius and initially carry items up to five pounds. Although this idea seems unrealistic for another twenty to thirty years into the future, Bezos believes that Prime Air can go live by 2015. However, many Amazon consumers are less optimistic.

The main concern is how safe these robots will be and the possibility that they could be shot down from the sky. Bezos proposes that the drones will fly at an altitude of 300 feet or higher, which is why he will need approval by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before making further progress. However, present-day technology also  limits how powerful these drones can be during flight. According to Missy Cummings, an associate professor at MIT, Amazon will have to design and develop machinery that can withstand rain, snow, wind, and other forms of distractions in air.

While there are obvious setbacks, I believe that Prime Air is a revolutionary advance. It will change the way products are delivered for years to come, since it satisfies the consumer need for faster shipping, which draws in new customers

Images and References:

http://techland.time.com/2013/12/26/amazon-holiday-delivery-woes-send-in-the-drones/

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/amazon-unveils-futuristic-plan-delivery-by-drone/