June 28th 2024.
A fantastic opportunity has presented itself for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to soar to new heights with the help of Amazon Prime Air. Through a growing partnership, Capstone scholars from renowned institutions such as Hampton and Howard University were selected to participate in the Technology and Innovation Tour, an immersive experience into the world of drone delivery.
In late 2022, Amazon made history with the launch of its first commercial drone delivery facility in College Station, Texas. And for four ambitious students majoring in aviation, mechanical engineering, and computer science, it was a chance of a lifetime to witness the process firsthand and engage in meaningful conversations with the diversity leaders and engineers spearheading this groundbreaking project. As the company strives to revolutionize the way customers receive their packages through cutting-edge technology, it has also expanded its focus to include HBCU partnerships.
Amanda Rodriguez Smith, Senior Manager of University Partnerships and DEI Initiatives at Amazon, shared the history behind this collaboration and emphasized the company's commitment to providing access and opportunities for young engineers from all backgrounds. "We are working closely with universities to develop a more comprehensive curriculum that teaches the fundamentals of mechanical engineering, computer science, and aerospace," she explained. "But it doesn't end there. We want to create real-time learning opportunities for students, where our offices serve as an extension of their labs. There are no barriers in this exchange."
Rodriguez Smith also highlighted the fact that it is ultimately up to the students to decide where they want to take their foundational skills and how they want to apply them. With a plethora of career options available, from flying drones to quality engineering, Amazon is providing these students with the tools and resources to make informed decisions about their future.
In 2021, a partnership with Amazon Robotics was initiated at Hampton University, marking the beginning of a multi-year plan to modernize the facilities on campus. The funding lab, in addition to offering students the opportunity to fly drones, also aims to establish a degree program in this field. So far, students from Hampton and Howard have been involved in this capstone program, with Tuskegee University also in the works to join the ranks. Some of these bright minds have even earned their pilot's license to operate these state-of-the-art machines.
As the fulfillment center prepares to introduce a newer and sleeker drone model, the students were also amazed by its quiet and efficient operation. Currently, the autonomous drone, which is closely monitored by personnel, can deliver packages weighing up to 5 pounds within a 5-mile radius, all in just 60 minutes. Witnessing the vast potential of this program has ignited a spark in these students, inspiring them to dream big about the future of drone aviation.
Tyrique Moss, a Mechanical Engineering Major at Hampton, shared his excitement about the possibilities this program has opened up for him. "Right now, my work with drones is mostly research-based. But with Amazon, I get to take a huge leap and be a part of something that has real-world applications," he said. "My goal is to shape the future of aviation, and with drones, the possibilities are endless. From search and rescue missions to delivery services, I want to explore it all."
In addition to this partnership, Amazon is also dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM fields through programs like AI Ready and Amazon's future engineers. These initiatives aim to equip students from all backgrounds with the necessary skills to pursue their dreams and reach new heights. And as for the drone delivery sites, the company is already working on launching a second location in Arizona, proving that the sky's the limit for this innovative and forward-thinking company.
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