Amazon has announced the initiation of drone deliveries to select customers in Phoenix, Arizona.
Effective immediately, Amazon shoppers in the West Valley Phoenix metropolitan area can access a selection of drone-delivered items from the Amazon catalog, encompassing home essentials, beauty products, office supplies, health, and tech gadgets. To qualify, products must weigh 5 pounds or less; Amazon reports approximately 50,000 items available at launch.
Customers can opt for drone delivery to their address before checkout. According to Amazon, most individuals can receive items directly from the Tolleson launch site within an hour.
An Amazon spokesperson told TechCrunch that drone deliveries will be offered during daytime hours and under “favorable” weather conditions. “Currently, we do not offer drone deliveries during nighttime, high winds, or heavy rain,” they added. “Customers within designated delivery zones within the radius of our stations can receive drone deliveries… We notify customers when drone delivery services are available in their area.”
Amazon is utilizing its latest MK30 drone for deliveries, which recently received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate beyond the visual line of sight of the drone operator. Amazon claims that the MK30 can fly twice as far as its predecessor, produces about 50% less noise to the human ear, and is designed to fly in rainy conditions.
Amazon has also started deploying the MK30 for deliveries in College Station, Texas, where it has been testing drone-based pharmaceutical deliveries since 2023.
Amazon’s drone delivery efforts have faced numerous setbacks, ranging from noise complaints to regulatory hurdles and layoffs. The extensive cost-cutting initiatives of Amazon CEO Andy Jassy have also hindered the progress of the service.
To pave the way for easier and more cost-effective deployment, Amazon states that it is now integrating its drone systems into its same-day delivery network, rather than constructing separate facilities.
Previously, Amazon indicated that it would bring its drone delivery service to the UK and Italy by the end of 2024. The company did not provide updates on these plans today.