Amazon to launch drone delivery in metro Phoenix. Here's how it works and how to sign up
The future of unmanned delivery services is closer than it may seem — and it’s right in one of Arizona’s backyards.
Tolleson, a small city about 11 miles west of Phoenix, will serve as the third home base for Amazon’s experimental drone project, the delivery service powerhouse announced in a news release on Monday.
"When you're a small town in the middle of an urban landscape surrounded by major buildings and major cities, it's always cool when you can be the partner on something so grand," Tolleson Mayor Juan Rodriguez said.
Arizona is no stranger to drone delivery, between Walmart and companies like FlyBy Robotics, but here's what you need to know about Amazon's program.
When is Amazon beginning drone delivery in Arizona?
No specific date or month has been set for the drone delivery to launch, according to the news release. However, Amazon noted that drone deliveries will start in the West Valley in Tolleson.
Amazon is still coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration and Tolleson officials to ensure everything is in place for the program to commence.
Where will drone deliveries come from?
Amazon has already established several same-day delivery sites across the Valley, and the drones will be situated near Tolleson’s site during the experimental period.
“These smaller sites are hybrid — part fulfillment center, part delivery station,” Amazon’s news release noted. “They allow us to fulfill, sort, and deliver products all from one site so we can get packages out to our customers even quicker.”
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Where in metro Phoenix can I receive Amazon drone deliveries?
Once the program is clear to start, it will only operate within a 7-mile radius of the distribution center, Mayor Rodriguez told The Arizona Republic. Some west Phoenix and Avondale residents will be able to receive drone deliveries.
Which cities have Amazon drone delivery?
Amazon first implemented this program in College Station, Texas, and Lockeford, California, in 2022. The Lockeford location will be closing, the news release said, promising more drone delivery locales in 2025. The College Station site will remain open.
What time of day will drone deliveries be available?
Amazon uses drone delivery from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday in California, and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., seven days a week in College Station, Texas, Amazon said on its website. However, drone delivery isn't available during certain weather conditions.
How do I sign up for Amazon drone delivery?
West Valley residents can register for drone delivery by inputting their email address into a form. Interested parties will be contacted as FAA processes move forward, according to Amazon.
Current operations in College Station require participants to prepare their yard, have an Amazon employee survey your yard and install a marker prior to their first drone delivery.
After that, users can identify products available for drone delivery and select "today: within one hour" as the delivery option in check out. Then place the QR code delivery marker on the mini marker in your yard. Users than receive an email confirming the purchase and estimated time of the drone's arrival.
What's new with Amazon's drone delivery program?
New drones, capable of flying in more weather conditions and carrying up to five pounds at a time, will be introduced in Tolleson.
Amazon reported that these MK30 drones will be operative in Italy and the United Kingdom soon, but no timeline was available at the time of publication.
How much weight can an Amazon drone carry?
Amazon is debuting new drones that can carry up to five pounds at a time. The drones were set to operate in Europe soon, though the company did not specify when they would launch.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Amazon drone delivery in Arizona: How it works and how to sign up
