Poll: Young Americans Most Optimistic about Amazon’s Planned Package Delivery Drones, Older Americans Remain Weary

Of his company’s highly-anticipated, still-under-development
package delivery system, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has said, “Look,
this thing can’t land on somebody’s head while they’re walking
around their neighborhood.” He is referring to drones, the same
unmanned aerial vehicles used in war, controversial tools of
surveillance, and more recently, agents of research and disaster
relief.

Given the wide variety of uses for drones, it is perhaps not
surprising that Americans are divided on their feelings about the
technology. According to the latest
Reason-Rupe poll, 45 percent of Americans say Amazon’s planned
use of drones for package delivery makes them think more positively
about the future, while 44 percent say the idea makes them think
more negatively about the future. Nine percent said the concept
doesn’t make them think one way or the other about the future.

Traditional political party affiliation does not impact public
opinion on this topic, though political philosophy does play a
role, with self-labeled libertarians and progressives feeling most
optimistic about this technology. Sixty percent of libertarians and
59 percent of progressives say drone-delivery makes them think more
positively about the future, compared to 49 percent of self-labeled
liberals, 43 percent of moderates, and 39 percent of conservatives.
Fifty percent of tea party supporters are also optimistic, while 43
percent are not.

Americans’ thoughts about the use of drones for package delivery
is highly correlated with age, as younger people feel more
positively about the technology than do older Americans. Fifty-nine
percent of those under 35, including 68 percent of people 18-24,
say Amazon’s idea makes them think more positively about the
future, compared to 44 percent of 35-54 year olds and just 34
percent of Americans ages 55 and over who agree.

Men are 13 points more likely than women to report that the idea
of this new use of technology makes them feel positively about the
future.

Nationwide telephone poll conducted Dec 4-8 2013 interviewed
1011 adults on both mobile (506) and landline (505) phones, with a
margin of error +/- 3.7%. Princeton Survey Research Associates
International executed the nationwide Reason-Rupe survey. Columns
may not add up to 100% due to rounding. Full poll results,
detailed tables, and methodology found here. Sign
up for notifications of new releases of the Reason-Rupe
poll here.