(Credit: Amazon)
Lots of things can take down your internet, including an Amazon drone.
Last week, a delivery drone from the e-commerce company accidentally severed an internet cable in Waco, Texas, according to CNBC, which posted video footage of the incident. As you can see, Amazon’s MK30 drone tried to fly off while caught on the hanging cable. The wire line then appears to sever as the drone descends and successfully lands on the ground.
In a statement, Amazon said, “On November 18, after completing a delivery, our drone clipped a thin, overhead internet cable, then performed a Safe Contingent Landing, as designed.”
Sometimes, ISPs place fiber cables on hanging poles instead of burying them underground. Amazon's statement suggests the internet cable was so thin the drone failed to recognize it during takeoff. “There were no injuries or widespread internet service outages,” the company added. “We’ve paid for the cable line’s repair for the customer and have apologized for the inconvenience this caused them.”
Amazon reported the incident to the Federal Aviation Administration, which tells PCMag it’s investigating. So far, the company hasn’t received any follow-up inquiries from the FAA.
The incident highlights a hurdle facing drone deliveries, which have been expanding in the US through Amazon and its rival Walmart. The drones are built with safety in mind, but they’re still not foolproof. Last month, two Amazon MK30 drones grabbed headlines for crashing into a crane in Arizona after clipping the crane’s cable. Some local residents have also complained about the drones generating excessive noise, impacting wildlife, or creating privacy concerns.