Amazon files patent for airborne warehouses

Amazon. com has filed for a patent to use airships to store products and serve as a base for delivery drones.

The patent application was filed two years ago but was spotted only on Wednesday by Zoe Leavitt, an analyst at technology data and research firm CB Insights.

According to the patent filing, drones launched from the so-called “airborne fulfilment centres” would use far less power than those launched from the ground.

The airship would hover at about 13,700m (45,000ft) and be restocked and resupplied by “shuttles or smaller airships”.

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Amazon, which was not immediately available for comment, has laid out plans to start using drones for deliveries next year.

– (Reuters)