Technology

Amazon drones not making friends in Texas suburb

Photo: Amazon

August 21, 2024

Amazon is testing delivery drones in College Station, Texas and the aerial delivery isn't making lots of friends.

In fact the mayor is complaining to the Federal Aviation Administration as some residents are calling the drone a "giant hive of bees," according to a New York Post report.

"Since locating in College Station, residents in neighborhoods adjacent to Prime Air's facility have expressed concern to the City Council regarding drone noise levels, particularly during take-off and landing, as well as in some delivery operations," College Station Mayor John Nichols wrote in the letter.

The letter was written last month after Amazon made a request to the FAA to expand the pilot drone initiative to 469 deliveries a day. Right now drones are making 200 deliveries each day. Amazon also want to expand the delivery time frame to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., which is beyond the current limit of hours, according to the news report.

If the FAA approves Amazon's requests the drone pilot would have 940 takeoffs and landings of drones delivering one package that weighs less than five pounds.

The College Station location was chosen in June 2022 due to its small-town feel and sense of community, according to an Amazon blog.

In the same year Amazon also launched drone delivery in California.