The two MK30 drones crashed into the boom of a crane in Tolleson, Arizona, near Phoenix, Wednesday around 10 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. No injuries were reported.
Amazon shut their drone delivery service down for two days because of this.
I can’t help but wonder what happens if some angry customer loiters near an Amazon drone facility with a shotgun. They could shut it down completely.
“I want a refund, or I keep blasting!”
It would not have to be 24/7. Just taking out one or two per week would do.
I am not, of course, advocating this. I’m just noting the shape of our brave new world.
Time’s word of the year for 2027 will be ‘dronemail’.
Sadly, I think many of our fellow citizens would do just that. Or at least wait until the drones left Amazon air space and then shoot the drones down. Then take the goods and sell them on eBay.
They were very clear that no one was injured, and I couldn’t help but think: this time. Between the two drones and the air conditioner unit that the crane was lifting–not to mention the simple facts of air collisions and fire risk (the drones did catch on fire)–I think it was pure luck that there were no injuries, and that it won’t be long before there are.
What level of risk is acceptable for society in getting deliveries?? I’m with you, I’ll just go get it myself (probably with order online for pick up).
All we need is one of these drones to spark a massive forest fire… Never thought about that but it’s a real possibility. Does Amazon really want that kind of liability on their hands. Some of these forest fires have damage measured in billions of dollars….
You’re darn right. It’s not difficult to imagine that happening here in California. Not only forest fires, but grass fires, which can burn hundreds if not thousands of acres at a time. History-making wildland fires have been started by a lot less.
Wonder if they are dumb enough to fly in fire-prone areas?
I fly my own drones and I can’t image it bursting into flames under any circumstances but I suppose if the lithium battery got damaged in a crash it sure could.
So many buildings have been damaged / destroyed in the 5 boroughs of NYC by e-bike battery fires. Of course, most of those batteries were knockoffs from really shady company’s
