Amazon Expands Drone Delivery Service to Suburban Chicago and Atlanta

Amazon's drone delivery service is expanding to new locations in suburban Chicago and Atlanta. The company plans to launch Prime Air drones from warehouses in these areas by the end of the year, as part of a broader effort to increase its reach across the US.

The expansion will bring Amazon's drone delivery footprint to almost 500 cities and towns, a sixfold increase from current levels. The company currently delivers from 11 locations, including Houston, Dallas, and suburban Phoenix.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos first disclosed his plans for drone delivery in a 2013 interview, predicting that the service would be up and running within five years. However, the development process was slower than expected, with the company facing challenges related to safety and space concerns.