Amazon Could Be Developing a Flying Warehouse to Facilitate Rapid Drone Deliveries, Patent Suggests
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Amazon has been awarded a patent for a flying warehouse from which drones can make deliveries.
The patent, which was published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, outlines a plan for an “airborne fulfillment center” that uses drones to make deliveries. Amazon was originally awarded the patent in April, but it was only spotted by media late this week.
Amazon’s proposed flying warehouse would be able to remain at altitudes as high as 45,000 feet, and would be equipped with drones that could carry ordered items to delivery locations. Additionally, it could carry inventory to ground-based warehouses and even transport Amazon employees, USA Today reported.
The drones launched from the airborne fulfillment center would be able to make deliveries more quickly, and would use much less power as they would glide down from high altitudes. The flying warehouse could be restocked and refueled by a fleet of additional support vehicles, according to the BBC.
The patent also details a plan to use the airship to make deliveries at large events, such as football games, concerts or festivals. The airborne fulfillment center could be stocked with high-demand items ahead of time. During the event, the airship could function as a giant, flying billboard displaying items that customers could purchase. Once customers at the event place an order, the items could be delivered “within minutes,” CNBC reported.
The patent hints at a grander plan Amazon may have for its drone delivery service — which is currently dubbed Amazon Air. Earlier this month, Amazon made its first delivery via drone to a customer in a rural area near Cambridge, England. Similarly, Amazon was awarded a patent in July for using various structures as docking stations for its drone fleet. Another patent outlined a plan for embedding anti-hacking counter-measures into its unmanned aerial vehicles.
Of course, since this is just a patent, it’s unclear whether the airborne fulfillment center is just a proof-of-concept, or a project actually being developed.
