Amazon to relaunch UK delivery drones next year

Amazon has confirmed it will be relaunching its delivery drones in the UK next year, Sky News reports.

The online giant said it will begin deploying the unmanned, airborne vehicles for distributing goods from some of its same-day delivery sites, including one located in the UK although no location has yet been revealed.

The move is part of the expansion of the drones within the retail side of the business, which will also be rolled out in Italy and a third state in the US, on top of California and Texas, where the drones already operate.


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Back in 2016 the business had previously trialled an early version of the Prime Air delivery system in Cambridgeshire.

But, Amazon said it will no longer be using the standalone centres, and instead will integrate the drones into its existing network.

A statement from the company said: “As part of our continued efforts to innovate for customers, we are excited to announce the expansion of Prime Air delivery internationally, for the first time outside the US.

It added it has been working with the government and aviation authorities to reintroduce the drones into the UK airspace.

Aviation minister, Baroness Vere, said: “Amazon’s announcement today is a fantastic example of government and industry coming together to achieve our shared vision for commercial drones to be commonplace in the UK by 2030.

“Not only will this help boost the economy, offering consumers even more choice while helping keep the environment clean with zero emission technology, but it will also build our understanding of how to best use the new technology safely and securely.”

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