Amazon says delivery drones coming in ‘months’

Amazon announced Wednesday that it intends to use drones to deliver packages to homes “within months” as the online retail behemoth seeks to further expedite product deliveries.

The company unveiled its latest Prime Air drone design, which the company said “includes advances in efficiency, stability and, most importantly, in safety.”

“We know customers are always looking for something better, more convenient, and there may be times when one-day delivery may not be the right choice. Can we deliver packages to customers even faster? We think the answer is yes, and one way we’re pursuing that goal is by pioneering autonomous drone technology,” Jeff Wilke, who oversees Amazon’s retail business, said in a statement.

“And, with the help of our world-class fulfillment and delivery network, we expect to scale Prime Air both quickly and efficiently, delivering packages via drone to customers within months.”

Wilke said the fully electric drones can fly up to 15 miles and deliver goods that weigh up to 5 pounds in 30 minutes. He noted several safety features for the devices, including shrouding the wings and including sensors and algorithms to detect moving objects.

“Our drones are safe, efficient, stable, and good for the environment. We know customers have high standards, so we set a high bar for Prime Air. And we’re excited to be nearing our goal,” Wilke said.

Amazon’s drone efforts are years in the making. CEO Jeff Bezos said in 2013 that he hoped drones would deliver goods to customers’ homes within five years, though that deadline passed over regulatory obstacles.