This article was published on November 30, 2015

Amazon taps Jeremy Clarkson to show off its new 30-minutes-or-less delivery drones


Amazon wants customers to know its delivery drones aren’t just a figment of imagination, but an imminent reality. The company has released a new ad starring former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson teasing its forthcoming delivery system that promises to drop off your order in 30 minutes or less.

It’s testing several different prototypes, including this one pictured below that will be able to carry payloads of up to five pounds, flying under 400 feet. Amazon says it will cover a distance of up to 15 miles and use “sense and avoid” technology to prevent collisions with other aircraft and safely operate beyond the line of sight to distances of 10 miles or more.

Amazon is testing drones to deliver orders in 30 minutes or less
Credit: Amazon
Amazon is testing drones to deliver orders in 30 minutes or less

Of course, these won’t appear in your airspace until Amazon gets the go-ahead from government authorities. The company says, “We will deploy when and where we have the regulatory support needed to safely realize our vision.”

Clarkson signed on to do a new car show for Amazon in July. It’s slated to air sometime next year and will feature his ex-Top Gear cohorts Richard Hammond and James May.

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