Swiss companies partner with Matternet to test logistics drones

Swiss Post, Swiss WorldCargo and California-based drone manufacturer Matternet have begun jointly testing the commercial use of drones for logistics purposes.    Swiss Post, Swiss WorldCargo and California-based drone manufacturer Matternet have begun jointly testing the commercial use of drones for logistics purposes, according to a statement from the companies.
   Tests will run through July, focusing primarily on using drones in what the companies described as “exceptional cases” or for transportation of “special items,” but the companies said they do not expect to see the widespread use of drones within the next five years.
   “The possible areas of application offered by drone technology are very diverse, ranging from delivery to peripheral areas to the express delivery of goods,” the companies said. They also noted that several factors, including regulatory concerns and technical restrictions like limited battery life, must be considered before people can realistically expect to see drones operating in a commercial setting.
   “From today’s point of view, the use of drones in emergency situations is conceivable,” the companies added. “This could, for example, involve bringing supplies to an area that has been cut off from the outside world following a storm. Another realistic possibility is the urgent transport of consignments with the highest priority, such as laboratory tests. Which specific uses will prevail depends on how quickly the regulatory requirements are clarified and technical obstacles dismantled.”
   Swiss Post, the postal service of Switzerland, and Swiss WorldCargo, the airfreight subsidiary of Swiss International Air Lines AG, will test several Matternet ONE flying vehicles, which are specially designed for transporting small packages and mail. The drone features lightweight construction, is capable of transporting loads of up to 1 kilogram over more than 10 kilometres with a single battery charge, and is “extremely simple to operate,” according to the companies.