Amazon files patent for flying warehouse equipped with drones

The structure would hover at an altitude of 45,000ft (14,000m)

Thursday 29 December 2016 12:32 EST
Comments
Amazon intends to roll out drone deliveries across the world
Amazon intends to roll out drone deliveries across the world (USPO)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Amazon has filed for a patent on a flying warehouse equipped with drones to deliver goods.

The warehouse would be carried by an airship and would visit places where Amazon expects there to be high levels of demand.

The patent also covers support vehicles designed to restock the structure, which would hover 45,000ft (14,000m) in the air.

Documents show Amazon believes the combination of the flying warehouse and drones would deliver goods considerably faster than ground-based warehouses, the BBC reported.

There are suggestions the warehouses would be located above festivals or sporting events and smaller airships could act as shuttles taking drones, people and supplies to the warehouse.

Amazon completed their first drone Prime Air delivery, dropping an order off at someone's house just 13 minutes after their order was placed.

The drone deliveries are in a private – and largely mysterious – testing process.

Amazon intends to roll out drone deliveries to everyone across the world, with the aim of delivering items in 30 minutes of ordering.

It is not yet clear if the patent filing was for a project or just a concept.

The Independent has contacted Amazon for comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in