Swiss Delivery Drones

What is the history of this delivery service?

Contact was made between the EOC hospital group and Swiss Post shortly after the first drone tests in Switzerland. The EOC hospital group has the aim to be able to transport lab samples as quickly as possible. This enables doctors to evaluate the data more rapidly for the benefit of the patients. This is why deployment here was prioritised.

How does it work?

The logistics drone in use in Lugano is equipped with the very latest technology. It is a quadrocopter from the US manufacturer Matternet. The drone is compact at 80 cm in diameter (without rotor blades), specializes in the transport of light goods weighing up to two kilograms, has a maximum range of 20 kilometres and flies at an average speed of 10 metres per second (36 kilometres per hour). The drone flights will be monitored by the manufacturer during the initial phase. Technical personnel can take control of the drone manually if any problems occur. The drone is already flying completely autonomously at this stage, i.e. manual intervention only takes place in the event of an emergency. 

For safety reasons, duplicates of both the autopilot and other important sensors (e.g. altimeter, accelerometer, gyrometer) are always installed. In the event of the failure of all electronics, a parachute would be released automatically. A landing pad that transmits an infrared signal is used at the take-off and landing points. During its approach, the drone can detect this signal to ensure a pinpoint landing.

What conditions can the drones fly in?

The manufacturer generally defines the climatic conditions in which drones can be deployed. The drone in Lugano can be used at temperatures ranging from -10 to 40°C and wind speeds of up to 12 metres/per second (or 42 kilometres per hour). They are currently not being used in the rain. The drone is also set to be used in light rain in summer 2017 and could also be deployed in light snowfall during the winter. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the conditions are met during test operation.

What permissions did you need from FOCA?

The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) is responsible for the supervision of civil aviation in Switzerland. This also covers the supervision of drones. Authorization from FOCA is required for all drone flights operated without a visual line of sight. In mid-March 2017, FOCA approved the drone and its safety components and granted Swiss Post and Matternet authorization (BVLOS – beyond visual line of sight). The authorization also includes permission to conduct drone flights autonomously (without manual control and supervision). 

          FOCA and regulations:

• In Switzerland drones up to 30kg can be operated mostly without special permissions, over that weight the operator must apply for a special permit.
• Special permission is also required for BVLoS flights or flights near a gathering of people.
• This trial is the first time that drones without a pilot’s direct control will fly over a city area with traffic and people.
• Because of Swiss Post and Matternet’s previous experience with drone operations, they were able to obtain the authorisation from FOCA in a relatively short space of time.
• FOCA also highlights that public acceptance is essential for future drone flights, and such acceptance is much higher of a trial such as this between two hospitals as oppose to flights that are delivering consumer goods or takeaway food, in the other trials that are cropping up over the world.

Are the regulations sufficient for your needs or are they too restrictive?

In our experience the FOCA as regulatory instance has been very open minded and free of prejudice in the matter. The FOCA elaborated and defined the rules for the planned autonomous flights in Switzerland together with Swiss Post in a pioneering and advisory manner.

© Swiss Post

When do you expect a full roll-out of drone deliveries?

As soon as the drone meets all of the strict requirements regarding safety, practicality and reliability, the regular use of drones between the two EOC hospitals in Lugano could become an everyday occurrence. This is expected to be achieved by 2018.

What else is in the future for Swiss Post and drone deliveries?

Drones allow a new kind of ad-hoc logistics service to be provided. They therefore offer great potential in the field of logistics, and especially in the last mile. Swiss Post is therefore assessing various potential applications for such systems.

The further deployment of drones for special tasks is certainly possible. The applications and specific business cases that could be implemented depend on which companies wish to benefit from this highly specialized method of delivery and the results produced by the first long-term operation of the drones.

In addition to drones, Swiss Post is also testing other autonomous systems, such as delivery robots and intelligent shuttles. 

How has the collaboration with Matternet been so far?

Following the successful drone tests in summer 2015, Swiss Post assessed the various applications and evaluated the leading drone manufacturers. It emerged that Matternet – which focuses on fully automated drone logistics – best met Swiss Post’s requirements. Matternet is supplying the drone together with its software and hardware and is responsible for operating the drone during the test phase. Swiss Post is responsible for implementing the project, integrating the drone logistics for the customer and – once normal operation has begun – operating the drones safely.

Will that partnership continue or is developing its own drones an aim for Swiss Post?
Collaboration between Swiss Post and Matternet started about two years ago. It became clear that Matternet, with its focus on fully automated drone logistics, can best fulfill Swiss Post’s requirements. Therefore collaboration between the two companies will continue.

It is, however, plausible that other drones from different manufacturers may be suitable for future projects, too. Swiss Post will always use the drone that best fits a specific case. However, Swiss Post will not develop its own drones, but will collaborate with drone manufacturers to make sure its requirements can be incorporated into their designs.

How will this, and other drone delivery services help shape the world?

In this specific case, it is important for the hospital group to be able to transport the lab samples as quickly as possible. This enables doctors to evaluate the data more rapidly for the benefit of the patients. 

Drones can be deployed in many ways in logistics – above all in the last mile to transport high-priority consignments (e.g. lab samples or urgently required medication) or to deliver supplies to places cut off from the outside world after a storm.