Amazon to use Britain as testing ground for controversial flying delivery drones
Online retail giant hopes to deliver packages within 30 minutes using airborne robotic mini-copters
Amazon is preparing to test controversial flying delivery drones in British airspace.
The technology giant has been developing drones that can deliver its parcels to private addresses over a short distance as part of its Prime Air initiative.
Drones like these are likely to become an increasingly common sight in British skies
It will now work with the Government and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to develop better safety regulations and improve drone technology.
Current regulations do not permit drone operators to lose line of sight of their device or operate over densely populated areas unless they have CAA permission.
Technology to overcome these restrictions will be explored in the new programme, which will also test sensor performance to help drones detect and avoid obstacles.
Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global innovation policy and communications 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.
"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," Mr Misener added.
The dangers of drones, by Honor Munden
Drones are a relatively rare sight in British skies, but it's feared they may pose a safety threat as they become more common.
Toddler Oscar Webb lost an eye in October 2015 after a drone smashed into him.
The 18-month-old, from Stourport-on-Severn, was hit when a family friend lost control of the drone after it clipped a tree.
His mother, Amy Roberts, warned others about the dangers of drones and said: "The doctors said it was one of the worst eye incidents they had seen. It was hard, I cried that much that even the consultant, it brought tears to her face."
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) spoke about drone near misses, calling it "a growing problem". It is believed that injuries caused by drones are likely to rise in 2016.
Drones are also a growing problem for planes and helicopters, with many flying into restricted areas and into flight paths.
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"The UK is charting a path forward for drone technology that will benefit consumers, industry and society."
The CAA's policy director Tim Johnson said: "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."
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