Amazon conducts first UK drone delivery flights with MK30

Image courtesy Amazon

The service uses Amazon’s newest MK30 drone, which operates safely and autonomously using sophisticated, industry-leading detect-and-avoid technology, ensuring the safety of people, pets and property. The MK30 has received Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) approval to conduct operations..

Prime Air is a drone delivery system from Amazon designed to safely get packages, weighing up to five pounds, into customers’ hands quickly, in less than two hours. Eligible Prime customers based in the area can to opt-in to drone delivery and choose from thousands of products, everyday essentials, beauty items and office/tech supplies.

Prime Air is at an early stage in the UK, with flights operating out of Amazon’s Darlington fulfilment centre. David Carbon, VP of Prime Air said: “Starting flights in Darlington marks an important milestone in bringing drone delivery to the UK. Safety is our top priority and we have worked closely with Darlington Council and the Civil Aviation Authority. Our MK30 drones are designed to operate quietly and efficiently.”

As the MK30 descends for delivery, its onboard systems identify and steer clear of obstacles such as clotheslines or trampolines, items that might not appear in satellite maps.

These same cameras continuously monitor the surrounding airspace during flight, determining whether evasive action is needed to avoid other aircraft entering the drone’s flight path. The perception technology relies on sophisticated machine learning models trained to recognise various objects, including people, animals, physical barriers and other airborne vehicles.

The development team built an independent monitoring computer that oversees the main flight control system. When the monitoring system identifies irregularities during flight, it can instantly switch control to a secondary controller whilst initiating an automated return-to-base procedure.