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Couldn't make this up - Amazon testing drones

spectrumlinuxspectrumlinux
edited December 2013 in Chit chat
You couldn't make this up.
Amazon are testing drones to deliver items to customers within 30 minutes.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25180906

To me, this sounds like a ploy by Jeff Bezos to gain free publicity just prior to the Christmas shopping rush.

Got to admit, I do not like the thought of these drones flying around, especially when they have limited or even non existent collision avoidance built in.

Plus, these drones look very cheap and flimsy in construction.
Post edited by spectrumlinux on

Comments

  • dm_boozefreekdm_boozefreek
    edited December 2013
    People will throw things and shoot at them I'm sure :lol:

    If it's for reals anyway? :D
    Every night is curry night!
  • spectrumlinuxspectrumlinux
    edited December 2013
    dm_boozefreek wrote: »
    People will throw things and shoot at them I'm sure :lol:

    If it's for reals anyway? :D

    That was my second thought...

    I have visions of gentlemen in tweed with 12 Bore shotguns shooting at them.
    They could shoot them, record the whole occurence and then upload the video on Youtube with the backing track being that old Elvis song - Return to Sender.
  • thx1138thx1138
    edited December 2013
    I could see them being used in warehouse complexes
  • milemile
    edited December 2013
    time to start constructing a landing pad.
  • mermanmerman
    edited December 2013
    And Google has bought up seven robotics companies... The End Times are coming!

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25212514
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited December 2013
    so what happens when amazon start selling drones. Would one drone carry another drone to your house, or would the drone you bought just fly solo to your house and park itself on your doorstep.

    (important questions the public need 2 know.)
  • HairyHairy
    edited December 2013
    def chris wrote: »
    so what happens when amazon start selling drones. Would one drone carry another drone to your house, or would the drone you bought just fly solo to your house and park itself on your doorstep.

    (important questions the public need 2 know.)

    Why buy a drone when you get one free with any small order?
  • Matt_BMatt_B
    edited December 2013
    merman wrote: »
    And Google has bought up seven robotics companies... The End Times are coming!

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25212514

    I'm just waiting for them to change the name to Skynet. :smile:
  • def chrisdef chris
    edited December 2013
    Hairy wrote: »
    Why buy a drone when you get one free with any small order?

    Noted.

    Information is power.
  • ewgfewgf
    edited December 2013
    thx1138 wrote: »
    I could see them being used in warehouse complexes

    Maybe, but wouldn't the cost (both of the purchase and upkeep of the drones, along with the fuel they'd require for use) make it prohibitive, even if the technical problems could be ironed out and the possibilities for human sabotage be negated?

    I mean, delivering small packages in a warehouse complex can be done much cheaper by one human, especially on a pushbike if the complex is large enough.

    On the other hand, if the drones do become practical, then it does mean we're one step closer to the future that Tomorrow's World promised us - then it's just a matter of time before we get jet-packs, robot maids, and holidays on the Moon. Just as long as we don't end up with nutrition tablets replacing food, though, that'd be horrible :o
  • thx1138thx1138
    edited December 2013
    could be cheaper than one person and a forklift each shift, if they can be retrieved from high shelves, they already have semi-automated warehouses, and have had for years
  • HedegaardHedegaard
    edited December 2013
    Nice!

    One could order laptops, iPads and stuff.

    Then when the thing flies, you shoot it down.
    Take the goods.
    Make a claim with Amazon that you didn't receive your stuff and get refunded.

    Viola:

    Free laptops and iPads and stuff :)
  • Rebelstar without a causeRebelstar without a cause
    edited December 2013
    Hedegaard wrote: »
    Nice!

    One could order laptops, iPads and stuff.

    Then when the thing flies, you shoot it down.
    Take the goods.
    Make a claim with Amazon that you didn't receive your stuff and get refunded.

    Viola:

    Free laptops and iPads and stuff :)

    And a viola too!
  • milemile
    edited December 2013
    or just use the gun to rob post offices and buy your stuff legit. :D
  • guesserguesser
    edited December 2013
    Yes you could.

    Not a sci-fi fan?
    My rubbish website including the redrawn Amstrad schematics and the Sinclair Wiki.
  • spectrumlinuxspectrumlinux
    edited December 2013
    guesser wrote: »
    Yes you could.

    Not a sci-fi fan?

    Good point.
    Mind you it sounds like something straight out of the film Runaway. (Starred Tom Selleck and Gene Simmons.)
  • MarkoMarko
    edited December 2013
    It's all fun and games until they team up with these to take over the world: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25212514

    and personally, I find the idea of google getting into robotics - and especially humanoid robotics -very, VERY scary indeed.
    FB
  • dm_boozefreekdm_boozefreek
    edited December 2013
    Marko wrote: »
    It's all fun and games until they team up with these to take over the world: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25212514

    and personally, I find the idea of google getting into robotics - and especially humanoid robotics -very, VERY scary indeed.

    I live in the states now I can legally own a gun!

    One of those freaky little Johnny 5 wannabe looking things comes near me and I'll blow it's f**king head clean off :D
    Every night is curry night!
  • Scottie_ukScottie_uk
    edited December 2013
    All the tin hatters will then claim that Amazon is run by the CIA and they are really using the drones to spy on people using delivery of books as a cover.
    Calling all ASCII Art Architects Visit the WOS Wall of Text and contribute: https://www.yourworldoftext.com/wos
  • ZnorXmanZnorXman
    edited December 2013
    Isn't it funny how the word "drone" has become popular as of late.

    Want to put a negative spin on something, just substitute "robot"* with "drone".
    Make it sound cool, reverse the process.

    Oh, well...

    *or "remotely controlled apparatus"
  • ewgfewgf
    edited December 2013
    Scottie_uk wrote: »
    All the tin hatters will then claim that Amazon is run by the CIA and they are really using the drones to spy on people using delivery of books as a cover.

    I know. Thereby distracting people from the truth that it's the aliens who are spying on us!

    Them sneaky little Martians!

    Note: I said Martians, not Martijns, though for all we know Martijn has gone back to his mothership, it would explain why we never see him on WOS any more...
  • zxbrunozxbruno
    edited December 2013
    Flying robots = scary. :(

    Humanoid robots = scary. :(

    Robots = scary :(
  • Matt_BMatt_B
    edited December 2013
    zxbruno wrote: »
    Flying robots = scary. :(

    Humanoid robots = scary. :(

    Robots = scary :(

    So long as they're made to obey Asimov's laws we've nothing to worry about.
  • leespoonsleespoons
    edited December 2013
    ZnorXman wrote: »
    Isn't it funny how the word "drone" has become popular as of late.

    Want to put a negative spin on something, just substitute "robot"* with "drone".
    Make it sound cool, reverse the process.

    Oh do stop your constant robotting on :-P
    The comp.sys.sinclair crap games competition 2015
    WhenIWasCruel wrote: »
    "Let's not be childish. Let's play Spectrum games."
  • ZnorXmanZnorXman
    edited December 2013
    leespoons wrote: »
    Oh do stop your constant robotting on :-P

    "I, drone" by Mysack Imove
    (with full apologies for the lousy pun( Nothing new there, eh. -Ed ))
  • leespoonsleespoons
    edited December 2013
    ZnorXman wrote: »
    "I, drone" by Mysack Imove
    (with full apologies for the lousy pun( Nothing new there, eh. -Ed ))

    Drone Wars, presented by Philippa Forrester... mmmmmm, Philippa Forrester
    The comp.sys.sinclair crap games competition 2015
    WhenIWasCruel wrote: »
    "Let's not be childish. Let's play Spectrum games."
  • dm_boozefreekdm_boozefreek
    edited December 2013
    leespoons wrote: »
    Drone Wars, presented by Philippa Forrester... mmmmmm, Philippa Forrester

    Dat ass dude!

    Dat ass! :D
    Every night is curry night!
  • leespoonsleespoons
    edited December 2013
    dm_boozefreek wrote: »
    Dat ass dude!

    Dat ass! :D

    :lol:
    The comp.sys.sinclair crap games competition 2015
    WhenIWasCruel wrote: »
    "Let's not be childish. Let's play Spectrum games."
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