Amazon Launches Drone Delivery Service in Italy with First Successful Drop

Following operations set up in Texas and Arizona, Amazon conducted its first drone delivery test in Italy on Wednesday, and trust me, it's successful. The Italian government authorized Amazon to carry out the test in San Salvo. Watch the video below:

Amazon used MK30 drone to perform the test. The drone carried up five pounds (or 2.27 kilograms) of packages through light rain. Meanwhile, it’s licensed in the United state to operate Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). This simply means that Amazon is authorized to operate its drones outside the pilot’s direct line of sight.

Amazon MK30 Drone

The Amazon MK30 drone is a fully electric, next-generation delivery device designed to carry packages up to 5 pounds and deliver them in under an hour. It features advanced safety systems to detect and avoid obstacles, operates in light rain and varying temperatures, and is 25% quieter than previous models, making it ideal for residential areas.

The MK30 also has an extended range for reaching more customers efficiently, aligning with Amazon’s sustainability goals and plans to scale drone deliveries globally

Last year, Amazon announced plans to expand its Prime Air drone delivery service to Italy and the UK in 2024. The company now aims to begin commercial drone deliveries in Italy by 2025, but this timeline depends on receiving approval from regulatory authorities.

In the US, Amazon’s drone delivery services are up and running in College Station, Texas, and Phoenix, Arizona, with plans to operate in more areas in 2025.

Furthermore, Britain has chosen six drone testing projects, including Amazon, however, there’s no actual date on when the testing will commence.