Each design has taught us something important and helped us improve the safety, reliability, and scalability of our service. We rigorously test every aspect of the technology we build, learn from it, and update the system-that’s how we make advances in safety and autonomy. Just as aircraft manufacturers test their new planes, or automakers test their new vehicles to failure before they go on sale, we test our drones in private and controlled facilities. We’re developing our drones in the same way. Our approach to safetyĪny car you drive is tested-that's how you know it’s safe. In order for this to make a difference at Amazon’s scale, a safe, truly autonomous drone was the only option. But from the start, the choice was clear. Designing and building a system like this was not an easy task. If the environment changes, and the drone‘s mission commands it to come into contact with an object that wasn’t there previously, it will refuse. Then there are systems like Amazon’s, which uses a sophisticated, industry-leading sense-and-avoid system to help our drones operate safely and autonomously. Other drones are autonomous but blind, relying on ground-based communications systems for situational awareness, not able to react to the unexpected. The logistics industry is abuzz with all things drones. The rules: We are creating an automated drone-management system to plan our flight paths and ensure there are safe distances between our aircraft and other aircraft in the area, and that we’re complying with all aviation regulations.įor almost a decade, we’ve been innovating in each of these three areas, with a team of safety, aerospace, science, robotics, software, hardware, testing, and manufacturing experts working to ensure our system meets the rigors required for an aerospace product.With this system, our drone can encounter new, unexpected situations and still make safe decisions-autonomously and safely. The brain: A sense-and-avoid system to ensure the aircraft is able to detect and stay away from obstacles in the air and on the ground, such as other aircraft and people and pets in backyards.The body: A robust drone developed using the same aerospace standards that design safety into our system, and are just as reliable as the ground transportation methods that serve our customers today.So how do we do it? There are three components we focus on: While it’s impossible to eliminate all risks from flying, we’re taking a proven aerospace approach to design safety into our system. We’re building fully electric drones that deliver packages under 5 pounds to customers in less than 60 minutes.īut we know our customers will only feel comfortable receiving drone deliveries if they know the system is safe and reliable. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s happening.
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