Amazon’s ambitious drone delivery program has hit a significant snag, as the company halts operations in Texas and Arizona following two drone crashes in December. According to Bloomberg, the incidents involved the next-generation MK30 drones, which are designed to improve on their predecessor, the MK27, with greater range and reduced weight. The crashes, occurring during test flights at the Pendleton, Oregon airport, were attributed to a software malfunction exacerbated by light rain conditions. One drone reportedly caught fire after its crash.

While the company acknowledges the incidents, Amazon spokesperson Sam Stephenson stated that the operational pause is not solely due to the crashes. He explained that the decision to temporarily suspend drone deliveries was voluntary and part of a broader effort to implement necessary software updates to enhance safety. “Employees at the drone sites, who were told of the action Friday, will continue to be paid during the pause,” Stephenson told Bloomberg.

This pause is a blow to Amazon’s vision of revolutionizing last-mile delivery. The company launched its commercial drone delivery program in 2022, initially targeting non-medical shipments in Texas before expanding to include prescription medication in 2023. Despite early optimism, the program has faced hurdles, including FAA regulatory constraints and operational incidents like a previous collision between two MK30 drones during tests months earlier.

Amazon’s drone operations had already seen adjustments, such as halting services in California while expanding to Arizona. These developments underscore the challenges of scaling drone delivery services while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

As Amazon works on fixing the software issue, it must also await FAA approval to resume operations. The incidents serve as a stark reminder of the complexities of pioneering autonomous delivery technologies. Amazon, however, remains optimistic, viewing these setbacks as opportunities to refine its systems and strengthen safety protocols.

For further details, read the full report on Engadget.