Overview
- Amazon previewed the service at a Tinley Park community event and confirmed operations will run from fulfillment centers in Matteson and Markham.
- Each site is planned to start with 15 drones covering customers within about eight miles, with deliveries in roughly two hours for an added fee reported at $4.99 to $9.99.
- Drones will carry multiple items up to a combined five pounds, descend to about 12 feet, and drop packages at pre-identified delivery points such as driveways or yards.
- Operations face limits that include light rain, wind gusts up to 30 mph, civil-twilight flight windows, and a safety rule that triggers a contingent landing if battery charge dips below 30%.
- Amazon says onboard cameras record to help avoid obstacles and locate drop zones, footage typically remains on the aircraft, launchpads of about 20,000 square feet are planned at both sites, and roughly 100 net jobs are expected.