Amazon patents ‘surveillance as a service’ tech for its delivery drones
Amazon recently showed off a new version of its delivery drone, which is yet to launch as a commercial service.” src=”https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/GmPRiEHwdlUUIT6aakw29_Cwki4=/0x0:6613×4409/1310×873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64056467/jeff_wilke_amazon_prime_air_remars_june_2019.0.jpg”>
Amazon’s delivery drones are not yet dropping off packages, but the company is already envisioning how else that might be used — including by offering “surveillance as a service.” Amazon was recently granted a patent that outlines how its UAVs could keep an eye on customers’ property between deliveries while supposedly maintaining their privacy.
The patent was originally filed in June 2015 and became public earlier this month. It describes how the company’s drones could be hired to look out for open garage doors, broken windows, graffiti, or even a fire, before alerting the owner of the property.
Drones have long been used for surveillance, particularly by the military, but companies are now beginning to explore how they might be used f…
