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
ECA digital series unveils road to net-zero.
Retrofit and Decarbonisation framework N9 launched
Aligned with LHCPG social value strategy and the Gold Standard.
Competence framework for sustainability
In the built environment launched by CIC and the Edge.
Institute of Roofing members welcomed into CIOB
IoR members transition to CIOB membership based on individual expertise and qualifications.
Join the Building Safety Linkedin group to stay up-to-date and join the debate.
Government responds to the final Grenfell Inquiry report
A with a brief summary with reactions to their response.
A brief description and background to this new February law.
Everything you need to know about building conservation and the historic environment.
NFCC publishes Industry White Paper on Remediation
Calling for a coordinated approach and cross-departmental Construction Skills Strategy to manage workforce development.
'who blames whom and for what, and there are three reasons for doing that: legal , cultural and moral"
How the Home Energy Model will be different from SAP
Comparing different building energy models.
Mapping approaches for standardisation.
UK Construction contract spending up at the start of 2025
New construction orders increase by 69 percent on December.
Preparing for the future: how specifiers can lead the way
As the construction industry prepares for the updated home and building efficiency standards.
Embodied Carbon in the Built Environment
A practical guide for built environment professionals.
Updating the minimum energy efficiency standards
Background and key points to the current consultation.
Heritage building skills and live-site training.