The UK government and Amazon have announced that they will be working together to test several small drones that may one day deliver parcels.

Supporting the government will be the UK Civil Aviation Authority who has given Amazon permission to explore three key innovations: testing sensor performance to make sure the drones can identify and avoid obstacles, beyond line of sight operations in rural and suburban areas and flights where one person operates multiple highly-automated drones.

Amazon’s vice president of global innovation policy and communications, Paul Misener, said: “The UK is a leader in enabling drone innovation – we’ve been investing in Prime Air research and development here for quite some time. This announcement strengthens our partnership with the UK and brings Amazon closer to our goal of using drones to safely deliver parcels in 30 minutes to customers in the UK and elsewhere around the world.”

It is hoped the work will also help identify what operating rules and safety regulations will be needed to help move the drone industry forward.
Misener continued: “Using small drones for the delivery of parcels will improve customer experience, create new jobs in a rapidly growing industry, and pioneer new sustainable delivery methods to meet future demand.”

“The UK is charting a path forward for drone technology that will benefit consumers, industry and society.”

Amazon confirmed that the CAA will be fully involved and CAA policy director, Tim Johnson, commented: “We want to enable the innovation that arises from the development of drone technology by safely integrating drones into the overall aviation system. These tests by Amazon will help inform our policy and future approach.”