Delivery by drone in 30 minutes? Amazon says it's coming

Online US retail firm Amazon says it is developing the technology to use drones to deliver packages in 30 minutes or less, a broad expansion of unmanned flight that is raising concerns about safety, security and privacy.

Using commercial drones to quickly deliver packages is probably years away. But when government regulations catch up with emerging technologies, Amazon says it could revolutionize the way people shop for items they need quickly.

Amazon vice-president Paul Misener told a House committee today the federal government needs to speed up rules that regulate the use of commercial drones.

The Federal Aviation Administration proposed rules in February that would severely restrict their use. FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker said more research is needed before the government allows widespread use of commercial drones.