Amazon is testing mini flying drones that chief executive Jeff Bezos says could deliver packages to customers in just half-an-hour.
Speaking to American news show 60 Minutes, Bezos said the robotic devices, known as octocopters, can carry items up to five pounds (2.3 kg) in small yellow buckets.
They are powered by electric motors and could cover areas in a 10 mile radius of distribution centres, which would include vast urban areas.
Bezos said the drones' carrying capacity includes '86 per cent of the items we deliver.' He explained: 'I know this looks like science fiction. It's not.'
Bezos said the service, know as Prime Air, could be running within five years allowing for safety testing, a change in regulations and Federal approval. The Federal Aviation Administration is already actively working on new rules for unmanned aerial vehicles.
The FAA predicts the rule changes could be in place by 2015 which would allow Prime Air to be activated earlier then Bezos suggested, US news sources said.
Bezos said the plan would better enable Amazon to avoid being 'disrupted' by smarter rivals.
He said: 'Companies have short life spans and Amazon will be disrupted one day. I would love for it to be after I'm dead.'
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