Amazon Completes First Autonomous Drone Flight in UK

Earlier this week, Amazon was the first company to complete a fully autonomous drone delivery in the United Kingdom.  While the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) currently prohibits such autonomous flights here in the United States, this development will help spur the conversation forward.  Industry has routinely criticized the FAA for not allowing drones to fly out of the line of sight of drone pilots and the Agency is currently reviewing their position.  In the past, the Agency has stressed the need to consider public safety while facilitating technologic innovation. 

Amazon's autonomous delivery system in the United Kingdom is now the highest profile autonomous delivery system in the world; the FAA is undoubtedly keeping tabs on the program.  Amazon's delivery this week took a total of 13 minutes, from the customer clicking "order" on Amazon's website until successful package delivery.  Other industry giants in the United States are currently testing autonomous drones for package delivery and checking inventory.  Autonomous drone flights could also be a game-changer in the oil and gas sector, so pressure is mounting on the FAA to develop new drone rules.