These days, technology evolves so quickly that it can be hard to keep track of the latest developments. As technology advances at a rapid rate, drones seem to be the latest craze – in particular, drone delivery. Here are just a few of the latest developments.

• Drones might soon be delivering your next Amazon order. Since 2016, Amazon has been working to develop a Prime Air drone delivery service. With Prime Air, packages would get to customers within 30 minutes of placing an order. Amazon has recently taken steps to come in closer compliance with the FAA’s drone flight regulations – check out their recent petition with the FAA here.
• Drones delivering Big Macs? It’s true. Uber has recently begun testing food delivery via drone in San Diego. If all goes well, they’ll conduct a larger launch in 2021. Other major companies, including Google, have also gotten in the mix. Super convenient or super scary? You decide.
• Drone delivery is being tested in the humanitarian context too. For example, earlier this year, UPS announced a partnership with Matternet, to deliver medical samples throughout North Carolina as part of an initiative by the state to expand healthcare to its residents. Johns Hopkins has also begun testing the delivery of blood samples via drone. And late last year, a drone was used to deliver a vaccine for the first time ever. If utilized on a global scale, drone technology has the potential to impact the healthcare industry dramatically.

These developments are only the tip of the iceberg. Look out for other industries to soon be impacted by drone technology. In the meantime, for a foundational overview of drone regulation, be sure to check out FAA Regulation of Drones.