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The idea is they aren't delivering to houses directly, they're moving packages between shipping facilities. So, they can presumably having landing pads on either side that aren't near power lines.

675 pounds isn't much, but if you have a high-priority delivery that's not very heavy it might make a lot of sense. Especially in remote places; they're particularly interested in serving places that are currently served by planes and helicopters, like remote locations in Alaska.




Yup, this is basically it. It's impossible to compete with a truck that's fully loaded, but there are tons of short middle mile trips where trucks aren't fully loaded (LTL or less-than-truckload freight). This type of freight is surprisingly inefficient, particularly in low density areas.


It's very easy to compete with a truck in some areas of Alaska: they simply aren't reachable by road!

If freight has to be brought in either by boat or by plane, an autonomous blimp suddenly sounds like a great alternative.


Except if the weather conditions force you to delay the shipment.


...which can happen with planes and boats too.

Here's their take on the inherent tradeoffs of various transportation options in inclement weather:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28278843




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