Waco will see drones deliver small packages to certain residences in the next couple of months.
WACO, Texas — Waco residents, your next Amazon package could be arriving in a completely new way as part of Amazon Air’s new drone program.
Amazon is looking to revolutionize delivery in Central Texas with the launch of Prime Air in Waco. The initiative will bring the company’s most advanced drone model, the MK30, to the skies above Waco.
“Our drones deliver packages usually within 60 minutes,” Amazon spokesperson Steve Kelly said. “They deliver smaller items, about 5 lbs. Deliveries will start slowly and will ramp up, but customers can expect rapid delivery of these items. And as the program evolves, so too will the services provided through Prime Air. “
The program has been up and running in College Station and Arizona for nearly two years now. Initial complaints surrounding the program were the noise of the drones, but Kelly wants to put residents’ minds at ease.
“Since we’ve unveiled that drone, we haven’t had any complaints around noise in either Arizona or College Station,” Kelly said. “What I think people will come to understand is that when that drone comes to land, it sounds like nothing more than a vacuum you would. Here inside a house. So we’re excited about it. The drones themselves have been well received in all markets, and we’ve filled up our capacity with customers, and we’re excited for the expansion in Waco.”
As Amazon continues to introduce this new technology, it also looks to the community for transparency and feedback in this process.
“We’re just excited for the community meeting on Wednesday to talk with folks in Waco about the service, about the steps we take to make sure that delivery is as safe as possible and the innovations we’re making to deliver for customers as best we can,” Kelly said.
Kelly says the goal is to have Amazon Air up and running within the next couple of months, as construction of the drones is currently underway.