MYNORTHWEST NEWS

A look at Amazon’s latest ‘beehive’ patent

Jun 26, 2017, 9:48 AM

Amazon filed a patent for a multi-level fulfillment center that supports the landing and takeoff of drones. (Amazon via United States Patent and Trademark Office) The designs are being compared to beehives that would include several levels. (Amazon via United States Patent and Trademark Office) The fulfillment center would have one or more landing locations. (Amazon via United States Patent and Trademark Office) (Amazon via United States Patent and Trademark Office) (Amazon via United States Patent and Trademark Office) (Amazon via United States Patent and Trademark Office)

Taking a cue from Mother Nature, Amazon’s newest patent filing would have is drones acting like honey bees.

The patent includes images of a beehive-like tower that would act as a fulfillment center where delivery drones would take off and land.

Amazon envisions each city would have one.

Just because it filed the patent doesn’t mean it’ll become reality.

The company also filed for a patent in April 2016 for blimps stocked with drones to make extra speedy deliveries.

Amazon made its first drone delivery in the U.K. in December 2016. The company plans to expand the service to dozens of customers near its British facility in the near future.

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A look at Amazon’s latest ‘beehive’ patent