Cambridge is the testing ground for trials of new drone technology – to be used by US giant Amazon for delivery drops – in a pilot scheme backed by the UK government.

Seattle-headquartered Amazon says the partnership is exploring the steps needed to make the delivery of parcels by small drones a reality, allowing Amazon to trial new methods of testing its delivery systems under its Prime Air initiative.

It is understood that Amazon, which also owns Cambridge speech recognition company Evi based in a research lab in the city, has been trialling the drones in the local countryside.

A cross-government team is being supported by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); it has provided Amazon with permissions to explore three key innovations – beyond line of sight operations in rural and suburban areas, testing sensor performance to make sure the drones can identify and avoid obstacles, and flights where one person operates multiple highly-automated drones.

Paul Misener, Amazon’s VP of global innovation policy and communications, hailed the foresight of Whitehall. He said: “The UK is a leader in enabling drone innovation – we’ve been investing in Prime Air research and development here for quite some time. “This announcement strengthens our partnership with the UK and brings Amazon closer to our goal of using drones to safely deliver parcels in 30 minutes to customers in the UK and elsewhere around the world.”

This ground-breaking work will help Amazon and the Government understand how drones can be used safely and reliably in the logistics industry. It will also help identify what operating rules and safety regulations will be needed to help move the drone industry forward.

“Using small drones for the delivery of parcels will improve customer experience, create new jobs in a rapidly growing industry, and pioneer new sustainable delivery methods to meet future demand,” said Misener.

“The UK is charting a path forward for drone technology that will benefit consumers, industry and society.”

As the UK’s aviation safety regulator, the CAA will be fully involved in this work to explore the potential for safe use of drones beyond line of sight. The outcomes of these tests will help inform the development of future policy and regulation in this area.

“We want to enable the innovation that arises from the development of drone technology by safely integrating drones into the overall aviation system,” said Tim Johnson, CAA Policy Director. “These tests by Amazon will help inform our policy and future approach.”

Amazon says the drones would land on a company-branded square pad on a customer’s land. The logistics still have to be worked out and officially sanctioned.