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Transportation
A DRONE PROGRAM TAKING FLIGHT
Written by Jeff Wilke, former CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer
3 min
[monthFull] [day], [year] June 5, 2019
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Written by Jeff Wilke, former CEO of Amazon Worldwide Consumer
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Amazon moves closer to its goal of a drone delivery solution that scales to meet
the needs of customers.
When we announced earlier this year that we were evolving our Prime two-day
shipping offer in the U.S. to a one-day program, the response was terrific. But
we know customers are always looking for something better, more convenient, and
there may be times when one-day delivery may not be the right choice. Can we
deliver packages to customers even faster? We think the answer is yes, and one
way we’re pursuing that goal is by pioneering autonomous drone technology.
Today at Amazon’s re:MARS Conference (Machine Learning, Automation, Robotics and
Space) in Las Vegas, we unveiled our latest Prime Air drone design. We’ve been
hard at work building fully electric drones that can fly up to 15 miles and
deliver packages under five pounds to customers in less than 30 minutes. And,
with the help of our world-class fulfillment and delivery network, we expect to
scale Prime Air both quickly and efficiently, delivering packages via drone to
customers within months.
Amazon Prime Air's new delivery drone
Our newest drone design includes advances in efficiency, stability and, most
importantly, in safety. It is also unique, and it advances the state of the art.
How so? First, it’s a hybrid design. It can do vertical takeoffs and landings –
like a helicopter. And it’s efficient and aerodynamic – like an airplane. It
also easily transitions between these two modes – from vertical-mode to airplane
mode, and back to vertical mode.
It’s fully shrouded for safety. The shrouds are also the wings, which makes it
efficient in flight.
The distinctive aircraft is controlled with six degrees of freedom, as opposed
to the standard four. This makes it more stable, and capable of operating safely
in more gusty wind conditions.
We know customers will only feel comfortable receiving drone deliveries if they
know the system is incredibly safe. So we’re building a drone that isn’t just
safe, but independently safe, using the latest artificial intelligence (AI)
technologies.
Download hi-res photo
Photo by JORDAN STEAD/ Amazon
What does that mean? Here’s one way to think about it: Some drones are
autonomous but not able to react to the unexpected, relying simply on
communications systems for situational awareness. If our drone’s flight
environment changes, or the drone‘s mission commands it to come into contact
with an object that wasn’t there previously—it will refuse to do so—it is
independently safe.
Let me explain by considering two of the drone’s main delivery stages: In
transit to a destination, and when approaching the ground.
Download high-res photo
Photo by JORDAN STEAD / Amazon
IN TRANSIT:
Our drones need to be able to identify static and moving objects coming from any
direction. We employ diverse sensors and advanced algorithms, such as multi-view
stereo vision, to detect static objects like a chimney. To detect moving
objects, like a paraglider or helicopter, we use proprietary computer-vision and
machine learning algorithms.
APPROACHING THE GROUND:
For the drone to descend for delivery, we need a small area around the delivery
location that is clear of people, animals, or obstacles. We determine this using
explainable stereo vision in parallel with sophisticated AI algorithms trained
to detect people and animals from above.
A customer’s yard may have clotheslines, telephone wires, or electrical wires.
Wire detection is one of the hardest challenges for low-altitude flights.
Through the use of computer-vision techniques we’ve invented, our drones can
recognize and avoid wires as they descend into, and ascend out of, a customer’s
yard.
We’re also thrilled about the potential environmental impact. Prime Air is one
of many sustainability initiatives to help achieve Shipment Zero, the company’s
vision to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon, with 50% of all shipments
net zero by 2030. When it comes to emissions and energy efficiency, an electric
drone, charged using sustainable means, traveling to drop off a package is a
vast improvement over a car on the road. Today, most of us run to the store
because we need an item now. With a service like Prime Air, we’ll be able to
order from home and stay home. This saves tremendously on fuel usage and reduces
emissions.
Our drones are safe, efficient, stable, and good for the environment. We know
customers have high standards, so we set a high bar for Prime Air. And we’re
excited to be nearing our goal.
Related Tags
AnnouncementTransportationDroneInnovationAmazon Airre:MARS
3 min
Reading:
A drone program taking flight
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