Reports have emerged that Amazon.com, Inc. has tested its delivery drones above a 2,000-year-old Roman road near Cambridge. The road has been described as “nationally important”, and campaigners have described the prospect of drones flying over it as “horrifying”. The company has declined to state whether or not its drones have been flying in the area.
On the 27/07/2016, it was widely reported that Amazon and the UK government had agreed a deal to allow the American online retail giant to begin testing its delivery drones in the UK.
An article published on the BBC states that the UK Civil Aviation Authority has already given Amazon permission to test the drones near the historic road.
A campaigner has expressed her opposition to drones flying in the area. Specifically, she said “The idea of bringing drones to the middle of the countryside is so deeply shocking, one’s words fail. “This is a site of special scientific interest. It is also important as an historical Roman monument. People walk here to find peace, the idea that drones can be whizzing over their heads, delivering parcels to people who cannot wait more than two days, who must have the new thing… means more noise in the countryside.”
Amazon is developing drones to deliver goods to consumers. However, security experts have warned that the technology could be hijacked and used in terror attacks, or, the products could be stolen. Amazon.com, Inc. has emerged as one of the largest retailers in the world, taking away market share from typical retailers, such as Wal-Mart.
The use of online retailers is likely to keep on growing, and this new technology could lower the cost of delivering products from sellers to customers.
As the NASDAQ closed on the 01/08/2016, Amazon.com, Inc.’s share price was up by 1.18%, or $8.93, trading at $767.74. The firm has a market cap of $365.23 billion.