Amazon Air: The end of humanity is upon us.

[Crøwn]

This seems like a pretty cool idea, until someone shoots it down or takes it hostage.

[Ad Bot]

[Cybersix]

True, but i doubt they will ever make a drone that will drop off a fat ass tv to you.

You never know

[Fluff-is-back]

This seems like a pretty cool idea, until someone shoots it down or takes it hostage.

#

same could happen to a postman

[Crøwn]

#

same could happen to a postman

True but with nobody around or nobody to defend it it'd be a lot easier.

[GhostStar]

no freaking way. how would they prevent the helicopter from being stolen? how would they deal with wind and rain? how would they deliver items cross country? how much would they charge for thirty minute delivery?

[Night Fox]

I just thought maybe it'd be easier since we're not laying the continental railroad and this isn't the 1800's or whatever time that was done.

we basically would be. now laying railroads is a lot easier with machines, but there are few shortcuts for digging long holes in the ground. and this isn't just one line from one side of the country to the other, either. there are 300,000,000 people in the us, so even if there were only a quarter of that number of houses, that's still 75,000,000. imagine having to install pneumatic tubes going to 75,000,000 homes. not to mention powering them and maintenance

#
same could happen to a postman

except that's the kidnapping of a human being as opposed to just stealing a machine

[Cybersix]

how would they prevent the helicopter from being stolen?

I'm guessing it's piloted by someone, so they could prevent from being stolen, not to mention the camera(s) on board.

how would they deal with wind and rain?

They might not deliver it in bad weather?

how would they deliver items cross country?

By having warehouses dotted around the country

how much would they charge for thirty minute delivery?

Well you need Amazon Prime for it so, we'd have to wait and see

[Titanium Man]

there is absolutely no way that that thing is remotely controlled. its automated.
I think a quick, simple, more badass, albeit not very realistic solution to the strealing problem is to just parachute the package down

[Night Fox]

having a pilot would be a huge waste (not to mention that something isn't a drone if it has one. they did call them drones, right?)
my guess is that it'll use gps to find out where to go in general, then maybe a camera or the help of a human to determine where to set the package down

[sir dooble]

there is absolutely no way that that thing is remotely controlled. its automated.
I think a quick, simple, more badass, albeit not very realistic solution to the strealing problem is to just parachute the package down

Would be cooler, but then you have a definite problem of wind and whatnot moving the product off course, or it falling down a chimney (which could kill people) or landing in a tree or a river or something.


And in response to the worry of it being shot down or stolen, then it's a criminal activity.
The machine is definitely robotic, but it's going to constantly be sending back information to it's depot, including live video, just like any drone.
And if it's shot down and notices it (it probably will, as it will likely have 360 degree panoramic view for it to safely notice and fly around obstacles), then Amazon will be able to press charges against whoever has attacked the product.

And you'll be severely punished for stealing high-tech equipment, packages, and much more so for firing a gun at an aerial vehicle.

[Tayasaurus]

Suddenly a flash forming storm/hurricane

robots aren't fast enough to be recalled

[Titanium Man]

Suddenly a flash forming storm/hurricane

robots aren't fast enough to be recalled

gee I really wish weather forecasting existed

[Kearn]

gee I really wish weather forecasting existed

do you not know how storms form or something

it can start raining instantaneously

[Tayasaurus]

I'm sure they'll add waterproofing. Still a lot to account for. Also kearn you should know better, all weathermen are jesus and can see everything coming.

[Georges]

How is this going to fly half way across the US in 30 minutes.