Amazon Expands Drone Delivery to Half a Thousand US Locations
Amazon is expanding its drone delivery service to about 500 US locales by year-end. This comes over a decade after founder Jeff Bezos predicted that the service would be available within four to five years.
The expansion will reach hundreds of U.S. cities and towns, up from the current 11 locations where it operates. The company has redesigned its Prime Air drone several times since 2013, with the current version, known as the MK30, hovering a few feet above ground and releasing packages.
Customers are charged $4.99 for drone delivery, but Prime members pay $2 less. Orders of at least $50 have their fees waived. Amazon will need to seek regulatory approval in each community it plans to enter, often requiring local council hearings and feedback from residents.