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Amazon patent hints at floating warehouses in the sky

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The childhood dream of "I wish ____ goods would fall from the sky" just became plaussible

edit: In fact, this becoming a thing would make stories of kids lying about how amazon dropped, say a PS5, Iphone 9, etc; in their yards a new middle school recess classic in the next decade.
 
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Nodnol

Member
I really don't buy this drone idea.

I know everyone struggles to deal with Amazon's demands, but still. Drones seem utterly impractical.
 

riotous

Banned

Octavia

Unconfirmed Member
Seems literally impossible. Considering a warehouse in the sky would need more structural support, not less, it would be very small. Even then, lets say at a stupidly optimistic light 1000 tons at full capacity for it and the balloons, it would need 5 hindenburg sized balloons, which would be massive and prohibitively expensive (the hindenburg is quoted to be around 2.5billion today in usd to build) so yeah, like 13+ billion for one small unsafe gimmick warehouse. Realistically more like 20 billion.
 

riotous

Banned
Seems literally impossible. Considering a warehouse in the sky would need more structural support, not less, it would be very small. Even then, lets say at a stupidly optimistic light 1000 tons at full capacity for it and the balloons, it would need 5 hindenburg sized balloons, which would be massive and prohibitively expensive (the hindenburg is quoted to be around 2.5billion today in usd to build) so yeah, like 13+ billion for one small unsafe gimmick warehouse. Realistically more like 20 billion.

What about 10 100 ton capacity facilities?

I totally think the idea is a head scratchier either way myself, but wouldn't know the first thing about estimating the cost / benefit ratios.

It particularly loses me because as the patent mentions, the drones would then have to fly to nearby places where smaller shuttle blimps could take them back up to the motherships. Seems like that would require a lot of property be dedicated to these shuttle centers.
 

ChuyMasta

Member
Did they discover antigravity cristals or something? How will these be cheaper than grounded warehouses?

Or will the air warehouses have military functions?
 
I really don't buy this drone idea.

I know everyone struggles to deal with Amazon's demands, but still. Drones seem utterly impractical.

Amazon has already started using drones to ship actual orders to real people in at least one location. It's real, not a fantasy.
 
Did they discover antigravity cristals or something? How will these be cheaper than grounded warehouses?

Or will the air warehouses have military functions?

I don't think it will necessarily be cheaper, my guess it will probably be a premium service. Also limited to frequently ordered items in high traffic or remote locations. Ground warehouses aren't going away.
 

Jobbs

Banned
god bless amazon

I even buy food there now. there's almost never a reason to do most shopping anywhere else
 

mrklaw

MrArseFace
Why not just have big trucks parked in strategic locations around the city? Or rent unused space in town centres because all the shops are closing due to online shopping?
 

Aselith

Member
Why not just have big trucks parked in strategic locations around the city? Or rent unused space in town centres because all the shops are closing due to online shopping?

Because that's not cool. You know what's cool? 10 billion drones
 

Havok1313

Member
Why not just have big trucks parked in strategic locations around the city? Or rent unused space in town centres because all the shops are closing due to online shopping?

Land space, especially in big cities runs at a premium price. In some cities there isn't even enough space for a massive warehouse. There is a lot of empty, unused space in the sky.
 
I'm betting my gaf account that Amazon will be the first to invent hyperspace travel just to ensure quick sex toy delivery right to my bed.
 
Amazon motherships? That's crazy.

What will they do with warehouse employees? They already treat them like shit. But now they have to work on blimps? Or are they going to try to automate all that warehouse work?
Duterte will be warehouse manager and if any of them step out of line he throws them overboard.
 

Nikodemos

Member
Smart people should start re-roofing their houses with a flat landing area/drop-off zone for drone deliveries, sort of like miniature helipads/bulls-eyes.
 
I'm not holding my breath on this. Even if it were to happen, theirs would make their own drones to slice that blimp up and make off with the goods.
 
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