Amazon.com Inc. Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos unveiled a new kind of delivery vehicle Sunday night. It’s called an octocopter, and it will fly all by itself, attuned to GPS coordinates, dropping off goods at customers’ doorsteps for same-day delivery.
That’s what Bezos, a consummate PR man, told a wide-eyed Charlie Rose on 60 Minutes. Yet for all the showmanship, there’s reason to believe that Amazon is on to something. It’s a reminder that expanded use of commercial drones is inevitable-a prospect that’s thrilling and terrifying.
No one wants to stand in the way of a future of instant diaper delivery or the already famous pizza drone. But sometimes the best response to a publicity stunt is a reality check.
First, it isn’t clear that the gadget Bezos unveiled, known as Amazon Prime Air, would be legal. And even if the company resolves such issues, don’t expect drone delivery anytime soon: As Bezos indicated, FAA certification for the devices could be many years away.
Second, drones are potentially hazardous. Most lack the ability to automatically “sense and avoid” other objects such as airplane engines, tall buildings and children.
Third is privacy. Imagine a Department of Homeland Security copter flying soundlessly above your neighborhood, equipped with some high resolution cameras, audio recorders and facial-recognition technology.
That’s why getting the right privacy rules in place will be critical. Many state and local governments are considering their own privacy laws, but that’s a cumbersome approach that doesn’t recognize borders. Eventually, Congress will need to get much more aggressive on this front.
If, years from now, drones are buzzing about America’s neighborhoods, gently dropping off all of life’s necessities at our doorsteps, give Amazon a lot of credit for dreaming big and early. And make sure it has your correct address.
Editorial, Pages 16 on 12/04/2013