# Amazon Drones: Dumbest Idea Ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 2, 2013, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265 "2013-12-02T03:39:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2013, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/41 "2013-12-02T23:14:55Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Hmm if this is only for people who live within 10 miles of a distribution center, then people can get their stuff even FASTER if they order and then come TO the distribution center and meet the drone right outside the door. Heck they could even have some sort of desk with a cash register where the person can do a transaction with the Amazon employee before they even get a drone involved. And maybe they can upsell other stuff from the distribution center by letting people browse around inside. Pretty simple for everyone involved and stuff gets out the door quickly. > > We’ve got a thing like this near us, all the way out in the suburbs. It’s called The Store. Brillz! Which is why nobody that lives in a city gets things delivered. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/42 "2013-12-03T00:21:22Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > It took me several minutes to be really, REALLY sure that this wasn’t an Onion story. Same here! The video looked like something they or Funny or Die would come up with. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/43 "2013-12-03T17:45:01Z")
Had I not read this thread first, I’d have no idea what [this](http://pvponline.com/comic/2013/12/03/last-minute-shopping) is about. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/44 "2013-12-03T19:08:40Z")
Check out liability insurance costs for small commercial aircraft. When the first commercial drone hurts the first person, what will that do to the cost of doing business? Don’t forget, the lawyers are not going to let this windfall get by them. We will pay & pay & pay. I want the Pony Express back, smell & all. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/45 "2013-12-03T19:25:20Z")
Hopefully it will not be unpleasant living near a drone launch facility with these things constantly coming and going like a hive of oversized bees. Also they would need some safe ‘crash’ mode. But it is interesting to see it is actually practical to prototype this. With computerized controls these things may be able to fly in bad conditions as well. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/46 "2013-12-03T19:52:53Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > I’ve seen\* a pizza delivery by drone. > \*don’t remember where–probably in a youtube video [Here?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDXuGQRpvs4) ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/47 "2013-12-03T20:35:14Z")
I think the main problem is, even if you have an exact, down-to-the-centimeter spot on which to drop - _ **er, uh,** _ “gently place” the package, what if the spot is, say, directly in front of the front door and the roof overhangs there? How does the drone keep from leaving the package on the roof? The idea sounds like the “flying cars” idea - it sounds promising at first, but then real world thinking kicks in (“So tell me, what happens when you’re driving in midair and you suddenly run out of power?”). ---
**Author:** ![Lowdown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Lowdown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lowdown)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/48 "2013-12-03T20:38:01Z")
I think this is a pretty dumb idea, yeah, but there’s no way it beats out the “smart watch”. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/49 "2013-12-03T20:50:53Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Thanx to you, I can’t help but be certain that the future of illicit drug transportation across borders will involve small private drones to a large degree. Could be happening right now. [Waaay ahead of ya…](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/11/28/drone-used-to-deliver-contraband-at-georgia-prison/) “Your pot will be on the 3:15 drone tomorrow.” ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/50 "2013-12-03T20:51:44Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’m more concerned with the weather and theft logistics. UPS and FedEx will not leave anything outside my front door. If you’re not going to be home to retrieve the parcel immediately, why would you select the drone delivery–presumably at a premium price–in the first place? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/51 "2013-12-03T22:34:08Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > If you’re not going to be home to retrieve the parcel immediately, why would you select the drone delivery–presumably at a premium price–in the first place? I’m not sure that A) that presumption is accurate, as previously discussed in the thread, since drones may end up being cheaper than drivers and gas B) that an order with 30 minute shipment means I need it in exactly 30 minutes - maybe I need it in a couple of hours, and my choices are 30 minutes or overnight and C) that I would want to need to be out on my front lawn waiting for the thing to drop into my outstretched arms. Of course, one could program the drone to circle until I come out to take the package, or any of a number of other solutions. I like a locked dropbox because it solves the problems of both theft and weather and provides the most flexibility for the customer. I’m sure the people they pay to come up with the actual solutions will think of something even better. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/52 "2013-12-03T22:39:34Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > 10 miles will cover most major cities. Even if it never takes off is rural areas, that covers a lot of people. Most Americans live in urban areas. A lot of Americans live in _apartment buildings_ in _cities_. Drone delivery is all but useless in that situation because of the close-together nature of most apartment buildings and the huge number of people that use the sidewalks in cities. A drone would never get through. As for the “urban areas” where “most Americans” live, that’s really just a census code for the suburbs. And this kind of thing could work in the suburbs, but then your ten mile radius loses a lot of potential customers. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2013, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/53 "2013-12-03T22:57:48Z")
Roof or balcony delivery to apartment blocks could become a thing. Solves the theft problem, too. Look how easy roofs became acessible recently when people started to need a place to take smoking breaks. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/54 "2013-12-04T00:44:55Z")
[British bookseller Waterstones is going one better, O.W.L.S!](http://blog.waterstones.com/?p=15525) > [@](#): > > **Frequently Asked Questions** > Q. Isn’t this just what they did in Harry Potter? > A: Yes, this is exactly what they did in Harry Potter. You’re asking that as if this is a bad thing? ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/55 "2013-12-04T03:12:58Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > A lot of Americans live in _apartment buildings_ in _cities_. Drone delivery is all but useless in that situation because of the close-together nature of most apartment buildings and the huge number of people that use the sidewalks in cities. A drone would never get through. > > As for the “urban areas” where “most Americans” live, that’s really just a census code for the suburbs. And this kind of thing could work in the suburbs, but then your ten mile radius loses a lot of potential customers. What do you think people in apartment buildings do now? Either you have a front desk who is able to receive packages, or you have a secured unattended space for deliveries. Either one of these could easily be set up for drones. A ten mile radius covers a fair amount of ground. In DC, for example, it covers the entire urban area, plus large chunks of the the suburban areas in southern Maryland and northern Virginia. In sprawling Sacramento, it doesn’t hit all of the eastern suburbs, but if you set up a center downtown, in Roseville, and maybe in Elk Grove, you’d have all of the metropolitan area- nearly 2 million mostly suburban people- covered. ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/56 "2013-12-04T12:13:22Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > What do you think people in apartment buildings do now? Either you have a front desk who is able to receive packages, or you have a secured unattended space for deliveries. Either one of these could easily be set up for drones. I’m glad you’re passionate about drone mailfare, but you’re arguing against a position I never took. I didn’t say that there was nowhere to land, I said that there was no where to fly. In a cramped city environment, drones are not going to be able to navigate close enough to apartment buildings because of all the people around. if you want to argue about this, how about you start with that instead of mentioning how the lobby is the perfect place for packages. How is a drone supposed to get through a lobby door? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/57 "2013-12-04T12:32:11Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > It’s a publicity stunt and it worked. This. I was in PR class yesterday and our guest speaker was talking about what a great move it was. Right at the peak of online shopping season, a perfect water cooler topic, and everyone gets reminded about how smart and innovative Amazon is. You know they have robots in the warehouses now? Yep, they really are fast … Would drones actually work? Meh, who cares. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/58 "2013-12-04T18:30:44Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > [British bookseller Waterstones is going one better, O.W.L.S!](http://blog.waterstones.com/?p=15525) Q: But aren’t you worried about the owls developing intelligence and using the knowledge of our home addresses to enact some sort of sky-based revenge? Enslaving us all to deliver their internet orders to their nests? A: No, the laws of robotics means that this can never happen. The owls will be incapable of harming a human. Q: But owls aren’t robots, they’re birds. A: That’s the end of the questions, thank you. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/59 "2013-12-04T18:50:05Z")
I’m in the “neat idea but not practical” camp. The logistics of how to drone-deliver a box to a suitable place at every address boggle the mind. Of course I couldn’t conceive of Google Streetview being practical to create either, yet here we are. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265/60 "2013-12-04T19:55:06Z")
> [@sandra\_nz](#): > > Really surprised at the negativity here. This is some cool shit. > > Do you think when they were inventing the car, they said “Oh, it only goes short distances, not very fast and can’t carry many passengers? Not worth bothering then.” I don’t know how people can see technology changing so rapidly around them and not be more positive about stuff that is potentially revolutionary. I think robot delivery technology will be a pretty big deal, not necessarily because it can deliver pizzas, but because we’ll dream up a million other things we can do with it that nobody’s imagined yet. Sort of like the internet. In any of these discussions, I’m always on the side of the people saying, “This is some cool shit.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/amazon-drones-dumbest-idea-ever/675265.md?page=4)