‘Prime Air’: Amazon to launch Omaha drone delivery

OMAHA, Neb. —

Amazon’s “Prime Air” drones are set to begin delivering packages in Omaha by the end of summer, marking a new chapter in package delivery technology.

Josh Brundage, Amazon’s senior manager of commercial operations, said the idea behind drone delivery was conceived in 2012 by Amazon’s executive chair and founder, Jeff Bezos.

Brundage noted the drones have already seen significant success in other markets.

“This will be the 11th site, with one extra one in the U.K., so we’ll have 12 total once this launches,” he said.

Previous coverage: Amazon working to bring drone delivery to customers near Papillion warehouse

The drones will deliver packages weighing 5 pounds or less and will operate fully autonomously.

“When the drone takes off, it is not actively taking any kind of instructions from anywhere outside the drone. So, as it’s flying, there is nobody providing inputs,” Brundage said.

Equipped with onboard sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence, the drones are designed to detect obstacles, avoid other aircraft, and safely lower packages into designated delivery areas.

Customers within an 8-mile radius of the Amazon Fulfillment Center OMA2 in Papillion will be able to receive goods via drone.

The drones fly at about 300 to 400 feet off the ground and can reach speeds of up to 70 mph. Most deliveries are completed in under 20 minutes.

Amazon emphasized that its delivery vans are not going away, and the company is adding job opportunities, including Federal Aviation Administration certification roles.

“The jobs that we are adding to are also upscaled, a little more higher paying than the entry level,” Brundage said.

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