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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: Photoelectric on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:41:37

Title: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Photoelectric on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:41:37
http://mashable.com/2013/12/01/amazon-unveils-flying-robot-delivery-drones/
http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/01/technology/amazon-drone-delivery/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

 :eek: :eek: :eek:

The future is now!  (Well,..  a year or two from now)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: tjcaustin on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:42:29
Or five.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: jdcarpe on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:43:05
Saw this segment on 60 Minutes tonight. Thanks for the links!
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Photoelectric on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:43:35
Also saw a related link about Domino's similar tests:
http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/technology/innovation/dominos-pizza-drone/index.html?iid=EL

Which prompts some questions about airspace regulations when a lot of companies decide to do this.  Imagine the amount of accidental air collisions with hot pizzas falling on someone's head  :))
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Shadovved on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:45:22
Also saw a related link about Domino's similar tests:
http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/04/technology/innovation/dominos-pizza-drone/index.html?iid=EL

Which prompts some questions about airspace regulations when a lot of companies decide to do this.  Imagine the amount of accidental air collisions with hot pizzas falling on someone's head  :))

I wouldnt mind if random packages from Amazon and pizza start falling in my backyard :))

If I had a backyard, in the US. Anyway. ;D
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:51:31
If I only could accept change rather than be a Luddite, I would be excited for this.  But with each new technology, I always ask "Does this make life better and make us happier?"

But the implications of all many companies using drones for delivery would be interesting.  Another class of jobs would be eliminated.   Google automated cars will drive the trucks, drones will make the final leg.  At some point, I could see the only human jobs left are the programmers, designers, and engineers that make all these robots.  Next comes the singularity, and humans will no longer be necessary.  Hopefully, the robots will not mind me lnving a quiet life in my off grid tiny home.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: keymaster on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:52:40
... and so the drone package thief occupation was created in year 2020 of our Lord  :cool:
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Photoelectric on Sun, 01 December 2013, 22:58:24
If I only could accept change rather than be a Luddite, I would be excited for this.  But with each new technology, I always ask "Does this make life better and make us happier?"

But the implications of all many companies using drones for delivery would be interesting.  Another class of jobs would be eliminated.   Google automated cars will drive the trucks, drones will make the final leg.  At some point, I could see the only human jobs left are the programmers, designers, and engineers that make all these robots.  Next comes the singularity, and humans will no longer be necessary.  Hopefully, the robots will not mind me lnving a quiet life in my off grid tiny home.

See, that's not a bad thing.  We don't have to work all day in a field to have something to eat, cut wood to warm our house, etc.  If jobs shift in a more creative/intellectual direction--is that bad?  By that example, they already have, given that 100 years ago, the profession of a computer IT person would seem insanely superfluous and odd.  Or if we don't have to work as much in general to be provided for, if a lot of things are automated.  Clearly economy will need to adapt as well as the social order, but that's what gradual changes do anyway.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: noisyturtle on Sun, 01 December 2013, 23:15:19
Weed delivery by air drone you say?
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 02 December 2013, 03:39:46
I wonder how many packages AND drones will "go missing", depending on how low they fly. People will have much less consciensce about taking something that's flying over their home than holding up a delivery driver.

About the whole "self-driving" car thing. I can see it working if ALL the cars are self-driving. Add just one human driver and you introduce a totally unpredictable factor, since you can't predict how the human will react in a given situation. Accidents are bound to happen. If they have their own roads, then no worries, but I don't trust mixing automated vehicles and human-controlled ones. And this is even assuming the control software and hardware is as good as human perception for things like black ice, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, etc.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 02 December 2013, 06:47:16
This is going to be Gas Powered (http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDaY0WVWw28/TdU20ylrBUI/AAAAAAAADik/USJ-Z9S19bA/s1600/tuzki36.gif)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: iri on Mon, 02 December 2013, 09:43:50
...and i just read that hydrogen can be produced using termites as bioreactors.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 02 December 2013, 15:10:38
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Tym on Mon, 02 December 2013, 15:12:07
@Rowdy  :))
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 02 December 2013, 16:43:06
(Attachment Link)

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_118_.gif)

My Harddrives.....  noooooooooooooooo!!!  (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/0eeeff42.gif)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Tym on Mon, 02 December 2013, 16:51:42
(Attachment Link)

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_118_.gif)


My Harddrives.....  noooooooooooooooo!!! 
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/0eeeff42.gif)

You have too many "movies" tp...
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 02 December 2013, 17:33:16
(Attachment Link)

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_118_.gif)


My Harddrives.....  noooooooooooooooo!!! 
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/0eeeff42.gif)

You have too many "movies" tp...

Slanderous insinuations.. 

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/3c68bb64.gif)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: jdcarpe on Mon, 02 December 2013, 17:46:29
(Attachment Link)

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_118_.gif)


My Harddrives.....  noooooooooooooooo!!! 
Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/0eeeff42.gif)

You have too many "movies" tp...

Slanderous insinuations.. 

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/3c68bb64.gif)


Only if it's untrue. Do you deny it?
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: keymaster on Mon, 02 December 2013, 21:15:52
(http://i.imgur.com/GoSlsof.jpg)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: iri on Mon, 02 December 2013, 23:57:22
lolz!
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Tym on Fri, 06 December 2013, 13:52:26
(http://i.imgur.com/djbzzOP.jpg)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 06 December 2013, 13:58:42
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/djbzzOP.jpg)


Oh no, not UPS...  They will definitely be dropping packages directly from that height.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 06 December 2013, 14:03:57
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/djbzzOP.jpg)


Oh no, not UPS...  They will definitely be dropping packages directly from that height.

UPS would be better suited to just use a package launcher
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 06 December 2013, 14:07:55
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/djbzzOP.jpg)


Oh no, not UPS...  They will definitely be dropping packages directly from that height.

UPS would be better suited to just use a package launcher

I can see that happening  :))
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 06 December 2013, 14:10:49
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/djbzzOP.jpg)


Oh no, not UPS...  They will definitely be dropping packages directly from that height.

UPS would be better suited to just use a package launcher

I can see that happening  :))

I'm thinking t-shirt launcher only for packages mounted in the back of the truck
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 06 December 2013, 14:14:14
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/djbzzOP.jpg)


Oh no, not UPS...  They will definitely be dropping packages directly from that height.

UPS would be better suited to just use a package launcher

I can see that happening  :))

I'm thinking t-shirt launcher only for packages mounted in the back of the truck

And a missile-style door at the bottom for monitors, refrigerators, and other electronics.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Krogenar on Fri, 06 December 2013, 14:23:35
See, that's not a bad thing.  We don't have to work all day in a field to have something to eat, cut wood to warm our house, etc.  If jobs shift in a more creative/intellectual direction--is that bad?

Photoelectric is correct! In 1840, 70% of the U.S. workforce were farmers. (see? (http://www.agclassroom.org/gan/timeline/farmers_land.htm)) The coming of industrialization changed all that for the better. There had to have been people not suited to farm life, who dreamt of being interior decorators, or lingerie models. It was the same with the horseless carriages. Change is generally good, but it inevitably hurts.

Maybe when the sentient supercomputer brains are in charge of the economy they will begin slowly shifting us back to an agrarian economy, purely for the sake of a simpler, less hectic lifestyle. But really, I just want to see a drone carrying a Meat Craver pizza lock onto my phone's GPS signal and chase me around a public park. That would be awesome.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 06 December 2013, 14:38:34
But really, I just want to see a drone carrying a precision guided munition lock onto my phone's GPS signal and chase me around a public park. That would be awesome.

FTFY. :P
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: BunnyLake on Fri, 06 December 2013, 15:28:15
(Attachment Link)

brilliant
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Michael on Fri, 06 December 2013, 15:29:33
I welcome our new robot overlords.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Fri, 06 December 2013, 15:55:39
I wonder what the max weight load will be...
(http://www.yourprops.com/movieprops/original/yp_4ebc26e00b5be0.92542771/Dark-Angel-Seattle-Police-Hover-Drone-Max-s-Boots-2.jpg)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Fri, 06 December 2013, 16:27:00
They'd spend a fortune on those plastic package carrying containers (unless you're required to return them?).

Also, I feel like people would start shooting them out of the sky for fun. They'd have to be armed with phasers (or more realistically, long-range pepper spray cannons).
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 06 December 2013, 17:33:36
Perhaps they can source them at the same price as boxes?
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Tym on Sun, 08 December 2013, 15:19:55
Quote
In the 1950's Popular Mechanics published a stolovery about a former artillery Sergeant who attempted to invent a personal delivery system similar to what Amazon intends to create with drones. Except he used modified artillery shells. He actually got a hold of an M116 howitzer which he fired modified shells over a small town in upstate New York.

The shells were hollowed out inside and a parachute would automatically deploy as it approached the target. The problem was the shells weighed twenty pounds and if the parachute did not deploy that meant a twenty pound shell would come crashing down from the sky and wreck someone's house or possibly kill someone in the street. As the Sergeant tested the device and was utterly convinced it was a way of the future he offered to sell a solution installing expensive iron plating on the roofs of people's homes and heavy protective armor for navigating the streets.

This Sargent's story had become an inside joke among people who market modern electronics and virus software. Create a problem that is unnecessary and then sell people an expensive and completely impractical solution.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: paicrai on Sun, 08 December 2013, 15:24:06
I'll get a friend to work there so that he can put hidden bombs in the drone box thing and I'll type in somebody else's address and stuff. #legit2013
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 14 December 2013, 07:42:50
I'll get a friend to work there so that he can put hidden bombs in the drone box thing and I'll type in somebody else's address and stuff. #legit2013

That's not very funny.  ::)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Malphas on Sat, 14 December 2013, 11:03:04
If I only could accept change rather than be a Luddite, I would be excited for this.  But with each new technology, I always ask "Does this make life better and make us happier?"

But the implications of all many companies using drones for delivery would be interesting.  Another class of jobs would be eliminated.   Google automated cars will drive the trucks, drones will make the final leg.  At some point, I could see the only human jobs left are the programmers, designers, and engineers that make all these robots.  Next comes the singularity, and humans will no longer be necessary.  Hopefully, the robots will not mind me lnving a quiet life in my off grid tiny home.

See, that's not a bad thing.  We don't have to work all day in a field to have something to eat, cut wood to warm our house, etc.  If jobs shift in a more creative/intellectual direction--is that bad?  By that example, they already have, given that 100 years ago, the profession of a computer IT person would seem insanely superfluous and odd.  Or if we don't have to work as much in general to be provided for, if a lot of things are automated.  Clearly economy will need to adapt as well as the social order, but that's what gradual changes do anyway.
Agreed. The elimination of labour through technology has always been met with a degree of criticism but has always a net benefit.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Malphas on Sat, 14 December 2013, 11:07:14
I wonder how many packages AND drones will "go missing", depending on how low they fly. People will have much less consciensce about taking something that's flying over their home than holding up a delivery driver.

About the whole "self-driving" car thing. I can see it working if ALL the cars are self-driving. Add just one human driver and you introduce a totally unpredictable factor, since you can't predict how the human will react in a given situation. Accidents are bound to happen. If they have their own roads, then no worries, but I don't trust mixing automated vehicles and human-controlled ones. And this is even assuming the control software and hardware is as good as human perception for things like black ice, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, etc.

Yes, all those automated cars work fine on the roads in California, but if they were to do a trial run in - let's say your residence, Finland - in January then I suspect within about 30 seconds they'd all have spun out of control, slid off the road, or smashed into each other. Although to be fair, on the rare occasion California gets freezing temperatures that's what happens with all the human drivers anyway.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: C5Allroad on Sat, 14 December 2013, 11:11:16
Do I get to keep the box?
I don't think it's available in the US... Seeing as the NSA will say things like NO DRONES. I thought they were illegal anyway?
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 14 December 2013, 11:13:03
Do I get to keep the box?
I don't think it's available in the US... Seeing as the NSA will say things like NO DRONES. I thought they were illegal anyway?

FCC is working on it....
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: C5Allroad on Sat, 14 December 2013, 11:13:46
Ooh. That would be really cool to have in Miami. If only though.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 14 December 2013, 11:17:13
Well once drones are 'acceptable' then there will be good ones and bad ones.....and then the dream job of being a drone pilot cop will be a reality.....

I imagine drones will make wonderful delivery systems for drug dealers.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: C5Allroad on Sat, 14 December 2013, 12:52:18
For drug dealers... That actually makes some sense. You can buy a AR drone for your phone. It's pretty cool actually.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 14 December 2013, 13:29:54
Gas powered, it's gonna be pretty dangerous.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: C5Allroad on Sat, 14 December 2013, 16:38:36
Are you sure? I thought it would be electric.... You know with all this save to world yada yada.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 14 December 2013, 16:57:19
I an imagine people making drones that look like Vipers, or Tie fighters or whatever, and trying to shoot down the Amazon drones :))
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: C5Allroad on Sat, 14 December 2013, 17:00:10
I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't ship to the everglades... All of those people hunt.. They scare me too.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 14 December 2013, 17:02:03
Are you sure? I thought it would be electric.... You know with all this save to world yada yada.

they would need a huge battery station.. gas powered would greatly extend range..

although... they'd have to develop an entirely new industrial line of small engine because the hobby ones melt pretty quickly.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: C5Allroad on Sat, 14 December 2013, 17:03:28
Solar power?
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: agodinhost on Sat, 14 December 2013, 18:09:22
Groupon will use one alternative solution:


 ;D
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Tym on Sat, 14 December 2013, 19:27:22
Are you sure? I thought it would be electric.... You know with all this save to world yada yada.

they would need a huge battery station.. gas powered would greatly extend range..

although... they'd have to develop an entirely new industrial line of small engine because the hobby ones melt pretty quickly.

I saw somewhere that they are petrol powered :)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Malphas on Sun, 15 December 2013, 04:03:59
Are you sure? I thought it would be electric.... You know with all this save to world yada yada.

they would need a huge battery station.. gas powered would greatly extend range..

although... they'd have to develop an entirely new industrial line of small engine because the hobby ones melt pretty quickly.

I saw somewhere that they are petrol powered :)

Aha, when I read people saying they would run on "gas", I did genuinely think they meant like actual gas, either propane or biogas or something. It never even occurred to me they might have meant petrol.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Tym on Sun, 15 December 2013, 10:43:57
Damn 'Murican's messing with our language.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: mauri on Sun, 15 December 2013, 13:47:30
...and i just read that hydrogen can be produced using termites as bioreactors.

I saw in tv that energy can be produced using humans as bio fuel
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: dustinhxc on Sun, 15 December 2013, 13:58:34
"If the Amazon drone deliveries don't make the same sound as the Hunger Games parachute sponsor gifts, I don't want it."
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 15 December 2013, 14:06:36
Damn 'Murican's messing with our language.

If your only ur GDP went up, and you bought more missiles with it.. you can be the Boss. (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/069.gif)
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Malphas on Sun, 15 December 2013, 14:10:41
USA isn't the boss of anything anymore, tp.
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: Tym on Sun, 15 December 2013, 21:34:22
To be fair our GDP, which places us 6th in the world osnt bad considering our population size in relation to yours, and we already have new nukes on order ^_^
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: iri on Mon, 16 December 2013, 00:53:20
...and i just read that hydrogen can be produced using termites as bioreactors.

I saw in tv that energy can be produced using humans as bio fuel
i immediately see a lot of perfect candidates for this
Title: Re: Amazon testing air drone package delivery o.o
Post by: mauri on Mon, 16 December 2013, 04:35:23
...and i just read that hydrogen can be produced using termites as bioreactors.

I saw in tv that energy can be produced using humans as bio fuel
i immediately see a lot of perfect candidates for this

I think the documents name was matrix