Authorized By The Government To Test Home Mail Delivery System

Imagine that, instead of a truck pulling up in front of your house or a person walking up onto your front porch to deliver the mail, it came via a quadcopter buzzing through the neighborhood.

While that's certainly not likely to happen in the U.S. anytime soon, Fox News reports that the Swiss government has given authorization to that country's postal service to test mail delivery using a UAV.

The Swiss Post is collaborating with UAV maker Matternet to deliver packages weighing as much as 2.2 pounds. The aircraft being tested can transport a package at that weight as many as 12.4 miles on a single charge, according to the report.

The company has a track record for autonomous delivery. Its aircraft were tested in Haiti for the delivery of medical and other emergency supplies in remote areas hit by natural disasters.

For the Swiss test, Matternet will supply the aircraft and software, while the postal service concentrates on the logistical challenges of sorting mail and making sure it gets to the correct house. Matternet says on its website that its Matternet One quadcopter (pictured) can be flown "by everyone. With just a few touches on our mobile app, this smart drone will self-fly between landing stations you’ve authorized. No pilot or expert needed."

(Image from Matternet website)

FMI: http://mttr.net/