We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Amazon patents shipping label with built-in parachute
inbound

Amazon patents shipping label with built-in parachute

August 9, 2017
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

Remember when the humble shipping label had a single job, indicating the address of the parcel's recipient? Today, many have additional roles and responsibilities. For example, some now serve as multipurpose documents, with the address printed on one side and additional info—like the packing slip, return instructions, warranty, or even marketing material—printed on the back.

Now, Amazon.com Inc. has won a patent for a shipping label with a built-in parachute. Designed for drone deliveries, the parachute is capable of supporting the parcel as it drifts through the sky and helps ensure a soft landing.

The new system builds on Amazon's ongoing efforts to cut the time and cost of last-mile delivery by using unmanned aerial vehicles instead of trucks. This latest wrinkle—equipping parcels with parachutes—would allow the company to avoid some of the problems associated with drone deliveries, such as the presence of obstacles like trees and power lines, and the power requirements of descending and ascending at each location, Amazon's patent application states. The parachute concept follows other recent patents from Amazon, including blimp-like airborne fulfillment centers and networks of underground tunnels that avoid congested surface roads.

Amazon made its first drone delivery in Britain last December, when it dropped off an Amazon Fire streaming device and bag of popcorn to a residence in the countryside. In March, it made its first public U.S. drone delivery, when it dropped off a bottle of sunscreen at an Amazon-hosted conference in Palm Springs, Calif.

Transportation Last Mile
KEYWORDS Amazon.com
  • Related Articles

    Amazon plans revamp of U.S. shipping with mix of private fleet, regional carriers, USPS

    With its "free shipping" guarantee, Target sets its sights on Amazon

    Amazon's shipping spend continued to rise in second quarter as volumes climbed

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

CMA/CGM to add LNG-powered ships to U.S. service

Buyers could target warehousing and fulfillment operations in 2021, investment bank says

North American entries rank high in Toyota Material Handling design contest

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Relaxed regulations for drone parcel delivery to take effect in March

  • Gartner survey signals increased investment in resilience over the next two years

  • Increasing Urgency for Vaccine Supplies Drives Launch of New Vaccine Manufacturing Resources on Thomasnet.com

  • IBM survey says digitalization trends will sweep trucking industry by 2030

  • What Level of Automation is Right for Your Warehouse?

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Ef7899d1 1c83 487b 9291 8af692931c96

myQ Dock Management

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Introducing myQ Dock Management. Connect your loading dock equipment and iDock Controls from Poweramp, McGuire, or DLM to the cloud and view your loading activity online with myQ Dock Management.Facilities with myQ can monitor the real-time status of their docks and be proactive in improving efficiency and safety. ...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Time to rethink your lift truck power

  • Warehouse Management System Project Toolkit

  • Solving Talent Management Challenges Now and In the Future

  • Shaping Up Last Mile Delivery to Surpass Customer Expectations

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing