Amazon has received permission in the UK to test beyond-line-of-sight drones under the control of a controller. In the future, this will allow the company to use drones to deliver goods to homes.
Image source: aboutamazon.com
The US e-commerce giant is among six companies taking part in a trial run by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The program also includes projects focusing on offshore wind farm inspection, aircraft traffic control, law enforcement and the delivery of emergency medical supplies. One of the projects will be implemented at Kirkwall Airport on the Orkney Islands off the Scottish coast – its goal will be the safe joint operation of UAVs and traditional aircraft.
In all cases, advanced technologies will be developed for navigation and detection of other airborne objects in a controlled environment. The results of the program will help develop regulations for the widespread use of drones. The tests will collect key safety data, such as the ability of drones to detect and evade other aircraft, and test the electronic signal technology that UAVs will send to be visible and communicate with air traffic control systems.
Last year, Amazon announced its intention to launch drone delivery in the UK and Italy by the end of 2024. The company currently provides such services in Lockford (California) and College Station (Texas). It’s been eight years since Amazon made its first commercial delivery, and it closed the UK arm of its Prime Air drone division in 2021.