Drones are here to stay. After e-sales giant Amazon’s well-publicized foray into drone use for delivery, Australia Post steps up, unveiling its plans to enter the field.
The national mail delivery service has already completed preliminary work with two experimental vehicles and is now ready to start trial deliveries across the country, in partnership with unmanned aerial vehicle maker Ari Labs.
“This trial is another exciting example of how we’re looking to the future with emerging technologies to make life easier for our customers,” Australia Post managing director Ahmed Fahour said. , stressing out that “today’s online shopper expects to receive their purchase whenever and wherever they want”. He then added: “We will put this innovative technology through its paces over the coming weeks and months to understand what it can deliver, how far it can travel, and ultimately, how our customers could receive a parcel.”
The new technology will be used to carry small packages – specifically medications and ‘time critical’ items – to the service’s online shopping customers. The closed-field trials accross Melbourne, which have no specified end date yet, will allow Australia Post to work out how small parcels can be delivered “safely and securely” – and much faster than current standards – to residences. Different environments and climates wll have to be taken into account during this trial periodi, as the service is trying to reach an agreement with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which only recently changed the country’s drone rules to allow commercial operators to fly unmanned vehicles weighing under 2 kg without a licence. Drone operators are also required to stay more than 30 metres away from people, buildings, vehicles and boats; and not exceed 120 metres height in controlled airspace.