Only one week after tech fans stormed their local malls and
electronic stores on Black Friday, Amazon released information regarding drone
delivery. The delivery method is called Amazon Prime Air. I see huge potential
for this new delivery method, but like many I am skeptical. Ever since Amazon
CEO Jeff Bezos announced the possibility of drone delivery two years ago people
have hypothesized what the online buying experience will be like. Amazon is
leading the way in logistics with this innovative approach, but what does this
mean, and what questions are being asked.
Lets start with a time frame. Amazon Prime Air is still far
from ready to be deployed. The technology is here, but the legal side of the
matter is what will take some time to sort through. I don’t anticipate this
delivery method being utilized for at least 5 more years. Drones are still a very new advancement in
our society. Ever since the turn of the century regulatory has been the primary
focus in America. We have seen time and time again when a new product is
released, and unaccounted incidents start to occur resulting in lawsuits,
deaths, injuries, and ultimately reform of the legal structure.
What could this mean for our society moving forward once the
legal issues are worked out? I believe this could be very beneficial yet
simultaneously have negative repercussions. Starting in our earliest years
humans are formed into consumers. We are consumers in a society that thrives on
mass production and the need for more. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic here,
but I feel like this new feature is only going to add to our already automated
culture. We thrive on convenience. How can we do this and that all while
exerting the least amount of energy possible? This will be huge for those last
minute things you need, but at what cost.
I am not against Amazon Prime Air, I simply hope as a
society we make sure to look at the big picture. I am trying to imagine the
future and keep picturing Amazons’ competitors adding drone delivery methods,
and drone services. Before we know it we could be looking up in the sky in any
major city and seeing drones flying everywhere delivering everything from
produce to electronics. Who knows what the future will hold, my only advice is
to be skeptical and ask questions before buying in.
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