Amazon drone delivery center in Markham set for takeoff

Amazon cut the ribbon on its new drone delivery center in Markham Tuesday afternoon.

Drone deliveries are set to begin “this fall” from the new center at 2201 W. 159th St., according to the company.

In August, Amazon announced it was expanding its airborne shipping to suburban areas in nearly 500 U.S. cities, including the Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Boise, Idaho, metro areas. The drones will primarily fly in the suburbs, away from skyscrapers and major airports that could cause problems, with each drone site serving multiple cities.

The drones can carry only packages weighing up to five pounds, and they face countless challenges — concerns about noise, interference from tree cover and landscaping, and pools, which can make it hard to find a drop-off zone.

Walmart already offers drone delivery at more than 75 stores across Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas, though the retailer mainly relies on drivers for deliveries. Walmart earlier this year said it planned to expand drone delivery service to 150 more stores in partnership with Wing, a division of Google parent company Alphabet, giving it 270 drone delivery locations by 2027.

Contributing: AP

A Prime Air drone in the air.

A Prime Air drone takes flight at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center in Markham on Tuesday. The launch marks the Chicago-area debut of Prime Air drone delivery, which Amazon says can deliver everyday items in as fast as 30 minutes.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A Prime Air drone waits for the next delivery

A Prime Air drone waits for the next delivery Tuesday at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center, 2201 W. 159th St., in Markham.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

An Amazon employee loads a package into a Prime Air drone

An Amazon employee loads a package into a Prime Air drone for launch Tuesday at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center in Markham.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

An Amazon employee moves and prepares a Prime Air drone.

An Amazon employee moves and prepares a Prime Air drone for launch Tusday at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Prime Air drones take flight.

Prime Air drones take flight at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center in Markham on Tuesday.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

A Prime Air drone takes flight.

A Prime Air drone takes flight Tuesday at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center, 2201 W. 159th St., in Markham. The launch marks the Chicago-area debut of Prime Air drone delivery, which Amazon says can deliver everyday items in as fast as 30 minutes.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Prime Air drones wait for launch

Prime Air drones wait for launch Tuesday at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center in Markham.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa, city officials and Amazon representatives cut the ribbon Tuesday for Prime Air drone demonstrations

Markham Mayor Roger Agpawa, city officials and Amazon representatives cut the ribbon Tuesday for Prime Air drone demonstrations at Amazon’s IGQ1 fulfillment center in Markham. Prime Air drone delivery can bring everyday items as fast as 30 minutes.

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

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