Drone delivery service: Amazon’s Jeff Bezos unveils company’s futuristic plans

They may look like something out of science fiction, but a demonstration of Amazon’s delivery drones shows that the day you’ll see a flying object bringing you your package are nearly here.

Ahead of Cyber Monday, one of the biggest shopping days of the year for the online retailer, Amazon’s CEO Jeff Bezos gave an interview to CBS news show 60 Minutes explaining how the drone service could work, and how it isn’t as far off as we may think it is.

“It will work, and it will happen, and it’s gonna be a lot of fun,” Bezos told 60 Minutes.

Described by Bezos as ‘octocopters,’ the flying robots – drones – are capable of carrying packages up to about five pounds in weight. Bezos adds that they’re also a green option for the environment, as they operate on electric motors and don’t use up gasoline like delivery trucks do.

As the Chicago Tribune explains, these drones can deliver packages in about 30 minutes in a ten mile radius, and it could be about four to five years before we start seeing them take to the skies, pending approval by the FAA. The drones are also autonomous.

As for drone delivery in Canada, don’t get too excited yet. Amazon.ca only just began offering its Prime express delivery service earlier this year, so chances are Prime Air won’t be coming to Canada until its offered in more parts of the United States.

Amazon won’t be the first company to use drones for deliver, however. Companies in China have already been successfully using this technology. You can check out one of the Chinese drones in action here:

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