Almost exactly two years after first announcing its plans to deliver packages with a drone, Amazon revealed a new prototype of one of its delivery drones. Here are some interesting revelations:

1. Amazon built a “hybrid” drone

Amazon’s prototype is an octocopter — meaning it has eight propellers and can take off and land vertically, like a helicopter. But the design also includes wings and a “pusher motor” so that it can transition from helicopter takeoffs to the energy-efficient flight of a plane at altitude. A pure octocopter wouldn’t be capable of a range of 15 miles, like this prototype.

At altitude, only the pusher motor — the large propeller in the back of the drone — is in motion. The eight other propellers reactivate once the drone is about to land and needs to make a vertical descent into a yard.

Read the article “Amazon Has a New Drone Delivery Video. Here are 8 Details Worth Noting.” on washingtonpost.com.