Amazon to test drones for same day delivery services in Cambridge, England

We recently wrote about the future of same day delivery and delivery drones, suggesting that issues with FAA approval could delay the introduction of such futuristic services in the US for an extended period of time. It appears that this hasn't dampened the optimism of the online giant as Amazon plans to test drones in Cambridge, England in the very near future.

The flying delivery option is rumored to be able to fly for up to 30 minutes and deliver packages weighing up to 5lb. In the UK Amazon has committed to expand research and development in Cambridge following the 2012 purchase of local startup Evi Technologies. The project called 'Prime Air' now looks set to ramp up with a series of related job postings recently observed, each designed get the concept fully up and running, or should I say 'off the ground'.

Amazon are exploring various paths to best integrate their same day services and same day delivery options in recent months. Recent examples include the use of taxis for local same day services in Los Angeles and San Francisco and speculation that this option is also under consideration for use in New York. Overseas they've also expanded their 'same day collection' services allowing deliveries to specific retail outlets on the same day as the item was ordered, this program now enlists the support of more than 500 convenience stores/newsagents in the UK.

Using drones for same day delivery services is more than a fanciful idea based on the investment so far although the combination of logistics, federal approval, cost and safety may all combine to delay a full launch for longer than many would like to see. At the present time the only regular same day services operated by drone are in Germany with small packages being delivered to an offshore island inhabited by a few thousand people.

With that program now successfully operating for more than 60 days there's every chance that the first Amazon Prime Air service could be launched in Europe or another overseas market.