Amazon delivery drones crashed during test flight after removal of rain-proof safety sensor: report

Core Insights - Amazon's MK30 delivery drones experienced crashes during a test flight due to a software update that made them susceptible to rain, compounded by the removal of a critical safety sensor [1][3][4] - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the crashes to faulty lidar readings and an erroneous altitude reading caused by the new software installation [2][3] - Amazon's drone initiative, first introduced in 2013, has faced numerous challenges, including technical issues and regulatory hurdles, delaying the realization of its original vision for rapid package delivery [6][9] Group 1: Incident Details - Two MK30 drones crashed in Oregon on December 16, 2022, after shutting off mid-air at over 200 feet [1][9] - The drones mistakenly believed they had landed, leading to an automatic shutdown of their propellers [2] - The absence of backup "squat switches" contributed to the crashes, as the drones relied solely on sensor input [3][4] Group 2: Company Response and Future Plans - Amazon refuted claims regarding the crashes, stating that the MK30 drone incorporates multiple sensor inputs to prevent future incidents [5][12] - The MK30 drone is designed to be safer and more reliable than its predecessor, the MK27, and complies with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards [5][10] - Despite the setbacks, Amazon plans to expand its drone delivery operations to additional markets, including Kansas City, Dallas, San Antonio, and international locations like the UK and Italy [10][14] Group 3: Technological Changes - The MK30 relies on camera-based computer vision and software redundancy instead of physical fail-safes, reflecting a trend in the industry towards software solutions [13] - The operational method of the MK30 has changed, as it now hovers and drops packages from about 13 feet, reducing the risk of human contact with its propellers [13][14]