After delivery-by-drones, Amazon plans to take shipping another step forward into the future with a new patent filing.
A recent patent filing placed by Amazon last month points towards plans of predictive shipping, prior to the customer ordering the product. The feature coined "anticipatory package shipping" will use user data and purchase history to pre-ship items to relevant nearby fulfillment centers before the order is even placed. The new precognitive service will use the similar algorithms and technology behind Amazon’s product suggestions. The service is said to predict the likelihood of particular items being ordered and eventually shipped to a certain customer.
Amazon has been taking shipping times seriously in the past few years and offers a plethora of shipping options, ranging from free 2 day shipping to one day shipping and Saturday shipping options. Amazon has been perfecting swift same day shipping with Amazon Fresh, and with its upcoming wholesale service Pantry. The US is not the only place Amazon is looking to streamline shipping. Amazon’s Indian subsidiary has partnered with the Indian postal service to streamline order shipments for Amazon.in customers.
When and if any laws are regulated on civilian unmanned aircrafts, and if anticipatory package shipping becomes a reality, customers in the future could see Amazon packages arrive on their doorstep within hours after purchase.
