Despite struggling to launch its drone delivery program, Amazon has filed for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) collective drone patent, according to this filing (pdf). A UAV collective is a configuration of small drones that work together to deliver large and heavy packages. UAV collectives can also navigate longer distances, and if several deliveries need to be made in the same area, the individual drones can separate to complete each delivery, the filing says. Amazon says these collectives are a cheaper alternative to larger UAVs, which may not be used as often.

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