Image via 12 News/YouTube
Amazon has only been delivering packages via drone through its Prime Air service in Arizona for about a month, but the program has been suddenly grounded. The coverage area was tiny, extending in a 7-mile radius from the company’s facility in Tolleson and customers could only have packages that weigh 5 lbs. or less delivered during daylight hours.
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According to Amazon, it voluntarily grounded its drone deliveries in Arizona as well as College Station, Texas while the software is updated, it told 12 News in Phoenix. This comes after there was a drone accident at the company’s test facility in Pendleton, Oregon back in December.
A spokesman told 12 News that accident wasn’t “the primary reason” to keep the delivery drones out of the sky. In other words, it was at least a contributing factor. I wasn’t until January 17 that the service was paused for customers.
Customers have to pay around $10 for drone deliveries, which are supposed to happen in less than an hour. They also must designate on a map of their property where they want the drone to drop the package.
Amazon had been talking big about delivering packages via drone about a decade ago. It also announced two years ago it was about to start the service. However, it only came online about a month ago and already experienced some software related problem.
People have worried the drones could deliver packages to the wrong place, like in a swimming pool or a neighbor’s yard. Footage taken by 12 News shows a package dropped in a backyard, but because of its light weight, the thing is blown under a shrub by the drone’s rotors.
The goal has been to launch Prime Air delivery by drone in more cities later in 2025. It’s unclear how long the service will be paused or if it will affect launching it elsewhere this year.
Image via 12 News/YouTube
