Amazon, which began its drone delivery service in 2022, has temporarily halted the service after reports of its latest drone models crashing at its facility. According to a Bloomberg report, the e-commerce giant has paused all commercial drone deliveries in Texas and Arizona. This decision follows the crash of two MK30 drones during testing in rainy conditions at Pendleton. Amazon has set up a test site in Pendleton, Oregon to conduct drone flight trials for package deliveries.
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The MK30, Amazon’s next-generation drone model, features six rotors. This updated version is not only lighter but also offers a longer range compared to its predecessor, the MK27. Additionally, the MK30 drones are built to withstand higher temperatures and are capable of flying in light rain.
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The crash incidents occurred in December 2024. The report states that the weather was rainy during the flights, and two MK30 drones crashed while being tested. One of the drones even caught fire after it fell at the test site.
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Amazon Pauses Drone Deliveries Amid Ongoing Software Updates
Amazon attributed the crashes to a software issue. However, the company informed the publication that the crashes were not the main reason for pausing its drone delivery operations. It clarified that the decision to temporarily halt operations was made voluntarily while software updates are still being implemented.