Could Florida residents soon see drones whizzing by their homes?
Amazon officials announced this week that it is bringing delivery drones to the Tampa area by the end of the year.
For eligible deliveries weighing under 5 pounds, customers within the delivery range can opt for drone delivery and receive their items in under an hour. The drone delivery option, when available, will be listed among the delivery options when a person purchases their items.
The Tampa Bay Times reported Amazon will be using the Prime Air MK30 drone for these local deliveries. Here’s what to know.
How far out does the drone deliver Amazon packages in Florida?
The drones will deliver anywhere in an 8-mile radius from Amazon’s fulfillment center in Ruskin, unincorporated census-designated place in Hillsborough County.
The fulfillment center is located at 3350 Laurel Ridge Avenue in Ruskin.
How much does it cost to use Amazon’s drone delivery service?
While the service has not arrived in Florida, it was launched in Arizona nearly a year ago.
According to the prices in Tolleson, the option carries an additional fee of $9.99 for Prime members and $14.99 for non-Prime members.
When will Florida Amazon drone delivery launch?
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Amazon officials have not yet announced an official launch date for the service.
Is drone delivery available in any other Florida cities?
As of Oct. 3, the option will only be available in Ruskin.
Amazon Prime Air drones crash into a crane in Arizona
Two Amazon Prime Air drones collided with an extended crane conducting work on the roof of a building in Tolleson, Arizona, causing both the drones and the crane to crash in separate parking lots.
“It is believed Amazon Air had two unmanned aerial delivery systems flying northeast back to back when they both impacted an extended crane,” Tolleson Police Department Spokesperson Sgt. Erik Mendez said.
Amazon was aware of the incident involving the two Prime Air drones, according to Amazon spokesperson Terrence Clark.
Contributing: Julie Mendes, Arizona Republic
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Amazon drones are delivering in Florida. Here’s where, how far they will deliver
Reporting by Samantha Neely, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
