Stories

Wed, 28 Oct 2026

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 'An annoying buzz': The search for stealthier drones

As drone deliveries become more commonplace, their makers are looking for ways to make them quieter.

* Amazon Prime Air is expanding its delivery service to nearly 500 US towns and cities, with drones flying over residential areas.
* Residents in these areas have been complaining about the noise caused by the drones, with some experiencing anxiety and stress due to the constant buzzing sound.
* Researchers say that people respond strongly to novel, intrusive or frequent noises, which is why drone noise can be particularly bothersome.
* The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates commercial drones, but it has come under fire for allowing noisy delivery operations.
* Some companies are working on quieter drone designs, including Greenjets, which has developed a propulsion system that reduces drone noise by at least two-thirds.
* Another company, Sharrow Engineering, is developing twisted propellers that reduce noise, and claims its technology can make drones "dramatically quieter".
* Amazon says it has made "measurable sound improvements" to its drones, while Wing, which provides drones for Walmart deliveries, also claims to have designed its propellers to minimize noise.
* However, some residents remain opposed to drone delivery services due to the noise they cause.