Amazon is planning to offer autonomous drone delivery service in the Richmond area. (Image courtesy of Amazon)
Amazon’s drone-based delivery service is coming in for a local landing.
The online retail giant has indicated plans to introduce its drone-delivery service known as Prime Air to the Richmond area.
The service would be offered in “Henrico County, Greater Richmond and Hanover County,” according to a webpage related to an upcoming community meeting, which is described as an opportunity for people to learn more about Amazon’s autonomous drone program.
When the service would be made available locally and other details weren’t immediately available. Amazon didn’t respond to a request for comment Friday morning.
Amazon announced on Aug. 19 that it would expand Prime Air to almost 500 American cities and towns by the end of 2026.
The service is currently available in metro areas in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Michigan and Nebraska. Amazon plans to introduce the drone delivery in areas of Georgia, New York, Ohio, Illinois and Idaho, according to an Amazon news release. Virginia wasn’t specifically mentioned in the Aug. 19 announcement.
Amazon’s Prime Air coverage areas span about 175 square miles. Products that are eligible for drone delivery are “nearly all” items that are 5 pounds or fewer and can fit into a “large shoebox,” according to the Amazon release.
The company says more than 60% of items that are most frequently purchased from Amazon are eligible, including electronics, groceries, household products and cosmetics.
Orders can arrive as soon as 30 minutes, and most orders are delivered around 60 minutes following checkout. Customers are able to select a drone as a delivery option if it is available and then pick a drop-off point to receive their orders.
The open-house meeting about the upcoming local delivery service is planned to take place Aug. 27 from 4-8 p.m. at 810 E. Laburnum Ave., which is the Gate 4 entrance of Richmond Raceway. In addition to the open-house format, there would be presentations at 6 and 7 p.m.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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