Leave it to the British papers (again!) to get the scoop on amazing technology being tested, and bringing the real story about stuff in our backyard.

The Guardian is a leading English news publication, and Monday of this week, ran a terrific story about how Amazon is testing drones in British Columbia at a "secret" location; as it preps to go with it's Amazon Prime Air delivery service - using drones to deliver packages!

Amazon officials who allowed reporters from The Guardian on-site were tight lipped about previous attempts to test and perfect drone delivery technology in the U.S., but did infer they had previously wanted to test them in what were called "rural" areas of Eastern Washington state.

It's no secret,  Amazon has a thriving and growing customer service center on Canal Drive in Kennewick, in the old Walmart location; so why not use the sagebrush dotted expanse of land in our region for testing?

However, to make a long story short,  frustration with the snails-pace of the U.S. in dealing with drone regulations, technology and embracing the units for commercial use, Amazon turned to the North.

Unlike the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Canada practically gave the company a "blank" sheet when it came to regulations and permits they had to fill out to test their drones.

Amazon has long desired to build and operate a fleet of commercial drones for it's Prime Air delivery service.  It actually makes sense.  The bulk of their packages sent to consumers weigh less than ten pounds, making them perfect cargo for a speedy drone that, in some cases, could deliver a product to your doorstep in less than an hour!

The U.S. has dragged it's feet in dealing with commercial applications for drones, but many experts say this Amazon revelation of a previously super-secret testing base should serve to get our attention.  According to the Guardian:

"Brendan Schulman, a New York-based specialist in drone law, said the Guardian’s disclosure of Amazon’s Canadian airstrip-in-exile should be a “serious wake-up call to politicians and regulators. America has led the world in aviation development,” he said, “but for the first time in history we are at risk of losing out. To see one of our most innovative companies forced over the border is a stark example of the danger.”

Amazon officials and especially other proponents of drone technology, say unless the U.S. and FAA get their act together, we will be left far behind, while the rest of the world buzzes goods and services to their customers using drones that significantly cut down on delivery time and eventually, costs.

Recently, the U.S. government did award a testing certificate for a certain type of drone, but by the time it was awarded, the technology in that unit was already obsolete; lending to more frustration by Amazon.  That, and other factors, spurred them to turn to Canada.

So, with this stunning revelation this week, the rumors we sometimes heard coming from the Amazon folks here in Eastern Washington about possible delivery drones aren't so far-fetched after all!

 

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