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prein | 5 months ago

I didn't even know they were using delivery drones yet. Why did they both crash, were they working in tandem carrying one payload or something?

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dylan604|5 months ago

The local Walmart nearest me has also started using drone delivery using Zipline drones. It's not a store I frequent, but recently drove past and the landing/launching site has a very unique look to it. At first thought, I thought it was a small carnival type of set up, but realized the rides looked really weird. There's large towers that remind me of the sculptures in Singapore near the ship on stilts building. I just perused Zipline's website hoping to find some imagery, but the site is clearly focused on promotional aspects with happy people receiving packages. zzzzzz.

https://www.zipline.com/

olex|5 months ago

Zipline drones fly quite high, and instead of descending and landing to deliver their payload, they hover at altitude and lower a "delivery pod" down on a wire. The pod also has maneuvering capabilities, but all of its thrusters are fully enclosed, and it's designed to not cause any damage even it if collides with something during descent or ascent. Overall, a very clever design that should be safer, create no noise on ground level, and be able to deliver into much smaller and more confined landing zones.

catlifeonmars|5 months ago

I was thinking maybe they used the same route planning system, so their routes were identical.

ceejayoz|5 months ago

I'd laugh pretty hard if the second one was an automatic redelivery attempt.

"Something went wrong with the drone. Send another!"

dylan604|5 months ago

If an amazon delivery drone uses the same route as a truck, what's the point of the drone? As a crow flies would be the point to be as direct as possible.

Edit: Nevermind. I'm not awake yet. this logic does not compute. please ignore

deadbabe|5 months ago

Been using them for years, I got a package by drone the other day.

Insanity|5 months ago

Yeah but it’s in a pretty limited zone IIRC. Just some states and areas have it, and it’s definitely not yet a common practice.