Swiss WorldCargo to Test Drone Technology in Cooperation with Swisspost and Matternet
Zurich Airport, 21 April 2015 - Swiss Post, Swiss WorldCargo, the air cargo division of Swiss International Air Lines, and Matternet, a transportation drone manufacturer based in California, U.S.A., have jointly launched a project to test the deployment of drones.
The three companies are currently researching the practical uses that drone technology could offer, and the business case to support such a development. The possibilities range from internal logistics to the delivery of consignments over the last mile. The first tests involving drones are scheduled to take place in summer 2015 in Switzerland. The primary aim of this pilot project is a Proof of Concept to clarify the legal framework, consider local conditions and explore the technical and business capabilities of the drones.
The partners will test a number of Matternet ONE drones. These vehicles have been exclusively designed for the transportation of small packages, and will be deployed with partners for the first time in this Proof of Concept. Matternet ONE’s centrally-located payload makes it exceptionally easy to load and unload and its unique architecture makes it light and strong enough to transport 1 kilogram over up to 20 kilometers on a single battery charge. Matternet ONE is capable of autonomous operation, following secure routes generated by Matternet’s proprietary Cloud software.
Dieter Bambauer, Head of PostLogistics, Swiss Post: “With drone technology, we are testing a possible means of transportation of the future already today. Swiss Post aims to always be in tune with customer needs.”
Oliver Evans, Chief Cargo Officer, Swiss International Air Lines: “As a specialist and global leader in the transportation of high-value and care-intensive shipments, Swiss WorldCargo is keen to explore any new technology which promises to increase reach, speed or reliability while at the same time reducing costs or environmental impact. Likewise we are keen to explore new types of collaboration with partners in the supply chain, from technology partners like Matternet to service partners like Swiss Post.”
Andreas Raptopoulos, CEO Matternet: “We are extremely excited to bring Matternet ONE to Switzerland, one of the most technologically-advanced countries in the world, and discover how this new transportation paradigm will bring tremendous value to our partners, their customers and the country at large.”
About Matternet
Matternet – a technology company based in California – builds world-class flying vehicles and software seamlessly integrated into a complete transportation solution. Matternet is recognized across the world for its pioneering work on autonomous flying vehicles, which have been tested in the transportation of medicine and diagnostics in some of the world’s most challenging environments such as Bhutan, Papua New Guinea and Haiti. Matternet was founded with the vision to bring to the world its next transportation paradigm and the drive to take it to everyone, especially those who need it most. For more information, please visit mttr.net.
About Swiss WorldCargo
Swiss WorldCargo is the airfreight division of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS). Headquartered at Zurich Airport, Swiss WorldCargo offers a comprehensive range of logistics solutions for transporting high-value and care-intensive consignments to some 130 destinations in over 80 countries. Its extensive network of air cargo services is further supplemented by daily truck connections between key business centres. As a reliable and innovative service provider within the Lufthansa Group, Swiss WorldCargo is committed to delivering consistently Swiss quality to its airfreight customers, and makes a substantial contribution to SWISS’s overall profitability. For more information, please visit swissworldcargo.com.
About Swiss Post
As a diversified company, Swiss Post operates in the communication, logistics, retail financial and passenger transport markets. Within the communication market, its services include delivery of letters and newspapers, direct marketing, and information and document solutions. In logistics, it operates in Switzerland and internationally as a parcels, courier and express service provider, and provides tailored and comprehensive logistics solutions. In retail finance its subsidiary PostFinance Ltd offers extensive services for payment transactions, savings, investments, retirement planning and financing solutions, and has had a banking license since 2013. In the public passenger transport market its subsidiary PostBus Switzerland Ltd operates regional, municipal and urban bus services, and also develops value-added system and mobility management services. Thanks to PubliBike, Swiss Post is also the leader in the Swiss bicycle rental market. Swiss Post is present in 25 countries and employs more than 62,000 staff worldwide. For more information, please visit post.ch.
