Amazon flying warehouses
In December 2016, it came to light that the online retail giant Amazon had filed a patent for massive flying warehouses that could be used to assist and house a fleet of delivery drones.
Originally filed in 2014, the patent refers to the warehouses as ‘airborne fulfilment centres’ (AFCs) kept aloft by airships.
Although Amazon has refused to comment on the patent, the details involve AFCs being stationed above major cities, storing items for rapid delivery at peak times. Drones dispatched from the AFCs would glide downwards to a user-specified delivery location rather than fly, using little-to-no power. The drones are said to be capable of cruising and hovering at altitudes of up to 14,000 m (45,000 ft).
A series of ‘shuttles’ are also mentioned in the patent. It is thought that these would replenish the larger AFCs with stock and fuel, or provide transit for workers.
Areas where lots of merchandise is sold but there is difficult access, such as sporting arenas or music festivals, are highlighted as being places where AFCs could be of most use.
Despite Amazon being reluctant to comment, it has been widely reported that they are developing delivery drone capabilities. A video released in 2015 showed the latest versions of their flying robots undergoing testing. Packages weighing up to 2.2 kg (5 lb) were reported as being deliverable in 30 minutes using drones capable of travelling up to 15 miles.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
The continued ISG fall out, where to go?
Support for ISG contractors, companies and employees.
New HES national centre for traditional building retrofit
Announced as HES publishes survey results which reveal strong support for retrofit.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Expected to become one of the largest activities in the global construction industry.
The ECA industry focus video channel
Keeping update with the industry session by session.
Over 25 recorded informations sessions freely available.
AT Awards 2024 ceremony East London October 25th.
Revisiting the AT community at the 2023 awards evening.
The Community Housing Fund and built affordable homes
CLTN reviews the impact of the Fund and calls for extension.
The grading system of the Regulator for Social Housing
A background, an explanation and ten recent enforcements.
Construction, repair and maintenance. Book review.
Putting new life into a city with a 1900 year history.
BSRIA Briefing 2024: Sustainable Futures speakers
Redefining Retrofit for Net Zero Living 22 Nov.
Wall of support for post-Grenfell regulation of electricians
Call for a shake-up of the construction industry highlighted on radio.
Digital sustainability through future AEC tools
Bringing together industry and academia to meet challenges.
Skills gap for net zero highlighted to Minister for Industry
ECA convenes roundtable discussion at Portcullis House.
Evidencing Net Zero with the new UK buildings standard
Pilot version with detailed excel proforma out now!
Scottish Building Safety Levy, in consultation
From direct remediation and the RPDT, to the costs and alternatives.
Waves of warmer homes grants for the rental sector
Boosting energy efficiency standards for all rented homes.
A refocus of the National Planning Policy Framework
Key terms described in brief, as the consultation closes the evening of the 24th.
Fortified farmhouses of the unruly 16th-and 17th-century borders.